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Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has defended the Economic and Organised Crime Office’s (EOCO) decision to impose stringent bail conditions in high-profile corruption and financial crime investigations, particularly those involving former government officials.
Dr. Ayine was responding to questions from Habib Iddrisu, Member of Parliament for Tolon and First Deputy Minority Whip, who sought clarification on the rationale behind recent bail requirements set by EOCO and whether more flexible alternatives could be considered. The exchange occurred in Parliament on Tuesday, November 18.
Addressing the House, Dr. Ayine explained that EOCO’s actions are firmly grounded in the 1992 Constitution, specifically Article 14(4), which authorizes law enforcement bodies to arrest and release suspects either unconditionally or on terms deemed reasonable to ensure their appearance before court.
He rejected suggestions that the heightened bail conditions intentionally target former appointees of the previous administration, emphasizing that bail is determined by the nature and seriousness of each case.
“Bail depends on the crime and the gravity of the offense,” Dr. Ayine said. “The sums involved in these investigations are very large. Setting unreasonably low bail could allow suspects to evade trial without sufficient compensation for the potential financial loss to the state.”
The Attorney General cited instances where investigations uncovered alleged financial losses running into hundreds of millions of cedis, arguing that bail conditions must reflect the scale of potential economic harm.
“There is nothing unjust or unfair with respect to what is happening,” he added, stressing that the strict requirements are necessary given the ‘unprecedented’ magnitude of the financial crimes under investigation.
Dr. Ayine reaffirmed that EOCO’s approach is consistent with legal standards and aimed at safeguarding the public interest while ensuring accountability in cases involving significant public funds.
