Prominent NPP member Kwadwo Poku has condemned the Attorney-General’s decision to drop criminal charges against Dr. Kwabena Duffuor and seven others in connection with the collapse of uniBank. Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, Poku described the move as a “dangerous precedent” that could embolden future financial misconduct.
The State filed a nolle prosequi to discontinue prosecution in The Republic v. Kwabena Duffuor & 7 Others, one of the most high-profile cases stemming from Ghana’s financial sector clean-up. Dr. Duffuor, a former Finance Minister and founder of uniBank, faced charges including theft and money laundering after the Bank of Ghana declared the bank insolvent in 2018 due to alleged irregular withdrawals and related-party loans totaling over GHS 5.3 billion.
Poku expressed serious concern about the implications of halting prosecution simply because part of the lost funds had been recovered. “What we should remember… is that we are now creating an avenue for loot,” he said. “Because when people realize that you can take enough [and] do anything that you want to do… it is sad.”
The Attorney-General’s office justified the withdrawal by citing the recovery of over 60% of the alleged financial losses, achieved through collaboration with the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO). Deputy Attorney-General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai explained that pursuing the case further “will not serve any additional public purpose.”
But Poku disagreed strongly, arguing that restitution alone is not enough. “The state is supposed to go after the indictment; it is the punishment. Forget the money, because a crime has been committed,” he said.
“If you now plead not guilty, then prove your case. But if your lawyers negotiate and you want to refund, then there should be an indictment. You can’t have it both ways.”
He further criticised the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), suggesting that their handling of the case contradicts earlier promises to protect public funds. “The NDC, for me, it is sad. Because bear in mind, they promised us that they are going to protect our public purse,” Poku stated.
“The Minister of Finance, 2.2 billion, they are saying that they don’t want to continue because they don’t want to chase after whatever somebody is doing 15 years today… How much was her crime?”
Poku’s comments add to the growing public debate surrounding the withdrawal of charges against Dr. Duffuor. Critics argue that the nolle prosequi not only undermines accountability but also sends the wrong signal to officials and private actors involved in financial governance.
