Legal practitioner Gideon Nii Tetteh Tetteh has criticised former Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame over his comments regarding the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO)’s re-arrest of the former National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) boss and his wife.
Speaking on Adekye Mu Nsem on Ahotor 92.3 FM on Wednesday, May 7, 2026, during an interview with host Citizen Kofi Owusu, Mr. Gideon acknowledged that Ghana’s justice system continues to face numerous structural and operational challenges.
Despite admitting these concerns, he questioned the moral authority of Mr. Dame to publicly criticise the justice system, considering his previous role as the country’s chief legal officer.
According to him, fairness and credibility are essential in public commentary on justice and governance.
“In discussing the shortcomings of the justice system, the messenger must also be clean,” he remarked.
Mr. Gideon suggested that Mr. Dame’s record as former Attorney General makes his criticism difficult for some Ghanaians to accept.
He further argued that if the former Attorney General genuinely believes the EOCO re-arrest was unlawful or improper, the appropriate avenue for redress should be the courts rather than public commentary.
“If he has concerns about the EOCO action, he should seek legal redress through the courts instead of publicly attacking the same justice system he once supervised and operated within,” Mr. Gideon stated.
The comments come amid growing public debate surrounding EOCO’s handling of high-profile corruption and financial crime investigations, particularly cases involving former government appointees and public officials.
The re-arrest of the former NAFCO boss and his wife has generated mixed reactions across the political divide. While supporters defend EOCO’s actions as part of efforts to strengthen accountability, critics argue that some arrests risk appearing politically motivated.
Mr. Gideon stressed the importance of allowing state investigative institutions to operate within the confines of the law while ensuring that justice is pursued fairly and transparently.
He noted that public confidence in the justice system can only be restored when legal processes are respected by both state institutions and political actors, regardless of political affiliation.
Dame Warns Against Moves That Could Weaken OSP
In a related development, former Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame has strongly criticised moves by the current government that could potentially weaken the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), describing the development as “shocking and perplexing.”
He expressed surprise that the Attorney General would pursue legal actions that may undermine the anti-corruption institution.
“Shocking and perplexing, because I’m surprised that an Attorney General will actively pursue steps which could lead to the collapse of an anti-corruption institution such as the Office of the Special Prosecutor,” he said.
His remarks follow growing public debate over a court case involving the OSP’s powers, with several civil society organisations seeking to join the proceedings amid concerns that the outcome could weaken the institution.
Mr. Dame, who played a key role in establishing the OSP, accused the current government of hypocrisy.
“We see a manifestation of the contradictions and hypocrisy of this NDC government play out in every sector,” he stated.
“What they say to the people in a bid to win their sympathy is different from what they do in reality.”
According to him, claims by the current administration that the previous government attempted to weaken the OSP were unfounded.
“So they claim they are there for the prosecutor and all that. When the NPP was in government, they claimed there were attempts to weaken the OSP, but indeed, there was nothing of the sort,” he argued.
Responding to references to previous comments made by the Special Prosecutor, Mr. Dame explained that those concerns related to court rulings rather than interference from government.
“That was not in the context of efforts being made by the government to weaken the office,” he clarified.
The former Attorney General also defended his relationship with the Special Prosecutor, revealing that he personally nominated him for the role and deliberately refrained from interfering in his work.
“He was my classmate. I knew him very well. I trusted his academic and professional abilities,” he said.
“Never once did I issue any direction to the Special Prosecutor. Never at all. Never once did I write a single letter to him from my office.”
Mr. Dame insisted there was never any conflict between his office and the OSP during his tenure.
“There was never any interference whatsoever by me,” he stressed.
He added that even when the OSP pursued cases involving members of the then-governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), he respected the institution’s independence.
“Indeed, he demonstrated boldness by going after members of the NPP, and I supported that,” he stated.
Mr. Dame also rejected suggestions that he received favourable treatment from the courts while in office, insisting his legal victories were achieved through hard work and preparation.
“I was not going to sacrifice the interest of the state on the altar of my personal pleasure,” he said, while recounting how he cancelled a planned trip to watch Liverpool F.C. in order to prepare for an international arbitration case.
He concluded with a call for stronger and more independent state institutions.
“It is important that we work in a way that strengthens state institutions,” he said.
Story by Stephen Kwaku Owusu Mintah