Office of the Attorney General and Justice received 910 criminal cases and initiated prosecutions in 874 across the country in 2020, according to Finance Minister, Mr. Ken Ofori Atta.
The Office also reviewed and advised Government on 35 agreements and contracts to ensure value for money, gave 81 pieces of advice on various petitions and requests, and provided 45 legal opinions and advice to MDAs and MMDAs.
Presenting the 2022 Budget statement on the floor of Parliament, Mr. Ken Ofori Atta said the Office prepared 145 pieces of legislation made up of six substantive legislations and 139 subsidiary legislation which were enacted into law. The substantive legislation drafted and enacted into law are the: Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Act, 2021 (Act 1064); Penalty and Interest Waiver Act, 2021 (Act 1065); Income Tax (Amendment) Act, 2021 (Act 1066).
He said in 2022, the Office envisages receiving about 1,900 criminal cases from the various investigative bodies out of which it will prosecute at least 1,700 and the Office will give 500 pieces of advice to the Police on criminal cases, and as well resolve 400 out of a projected 550 petitions to be received.
The Office represented the State in 141 civil cases which could have resulted in the payment of huge sums of money to plaintiffs as judgment debts. Notable among them were: A plaintiff claim of GH¢1.27 billion as outstanding judgment debt against the State was contested and judgment of only GH¢14,689 (including interest) granted against the State, and Another plaintiff claim of GH¢11.00 million was contested and judgment of less than GH¢2.00 million granted against the State.
In 2022, the Office projects to represent and defend the State in 400 civil suits, review 130 agreements and contracts of MDAs and MMDAs as well as resolve and respond to 270 petitions. In addition, the Office will provide about 180 legal opinions and advice on requests received.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.con/Kofi Atakora
