Ghana’s Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, has officially abandoned the prosecution of former Finance Minister Dr Kwabena Duffuor—the founder of the now-defunct UniBank—and seven other individuals. The decision, announced on 22 July 2025, comes after the state successfully recovered more than 60% of the estimated losses tied to UniBank’s collapse.
Dr Duffuor, alongside his son, Dr Kwabena Duffuor II, former Bank of Ghana Second Deputy Governor Dr Johnson Asiama, and five senior former UniBank officials, initially faced 68 charges in February 2020. Allegations ranged from fraudulent breach of trust and money laundering to falsifying accounts and dishonestly receiving funds. Earlier this year, the case against Dr Johnson Asiama had already been dropped following a review by the Attorney‑General’s office.
According to a statement signed by Deputy Attorney‑General Dr Justice Srem‑Sai, Dr Ayine filed a nolle prosequi—a formal notice to discontinue prosecution—after confirming the defendants met the agreed threshold of at least 60% recovery of alleged state losses. The statement clarified that the main goals had been to hold individuals accountable for public funds and to reclaim losses stemming from financial misconduct.
The Deputy AG emphasised that once the recovery milestone was reached, continuing prosecution would no longer serve the public interest. He added that discontinuing the case did not imply innocence or justify the actions of those involved, but was a practical decision based on national interest and efficient use of resources.
Legal experts note that a nolle prosequi results in the discharge of charges without an acquittal, allowing for the possibility of future prosecution if new evidence comes to light.
UniBank was placed under external administration by the Bank of Ghana in March 2018 as part of a sweeping sector-wide cleanup. At its collapse, the bank was reported to have lost over GHS 5 billion through related-party transactions, unsecured and unlawful loans, and improper withdrawals. The state later recovered more than 60% of these funds—an outcome that influenced the Attorney-General’s approach in deciding whether to continue with prosecution.
Dr Duffuor is a notable figure in Ghana’s financial history, having served as Governor of the Bank of Ghana from 1997 to 2001 and later as Finance Minister from 2009 to 2013. His involvement in the UniBank case has attracted significant attention, blending financial oversight failures with broader questions of accountability in Ghana’s economic institutions.
While the legal process has been halted, the broader goal of recovering public funds and deterring financial wrongdoing remains unchanged. The Attorney-General reaffirmed his commitment to the rule of law, fiscal responsibility, and transparent prosecution in cases of national importance.
