By Daniel Bampoe
A fresh political storm is brewing at the highest levels of government following an explosive clash between the National Democratic Congress, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, and outspoken Gomoa Central MP, Kwame Asare Obeng, popularly known as A Plus.
The public feud, which has sparked outrage and deepened political tensions in the running party, revolves around serious allegations of bribery, abuse of office, and media manipulation linked to the ongoing investigation into payroll scandal at the National Service Scheme (NSS).
A Plus is alleged to have received GHS1.5 million in GHS600,000 and GHS900,000 tranches to kill the NSS story in the media.
What began as an ongoing anti-corruption effort by state prosecutors has now spiraled into a personal and highly public confrontation, raising integrity questions about the Attorney General who is at the centre of explosive bribery allegations.
AG Under Fire Over Bribery Allegations
The controversy reached boiling point after A Plus publicly alleged that the Attorney-General had solicited GHS500,000 from a businessman — identified as “Mr. Sledge” also known as Nana Yaw Duodu, a gold dealer — to allegedly bribe Members of Parliament on the Appointments Committee during his vetting.
The supposed goal, according to A Plus, was to smoothen Dr. Ayine’s confirmation during the vetting process.
At a press conference on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, Dr. Ayine flatly denied the allegations, describing them as “baseless, defamatory, and politically motivated.”
However, he is not ready to sue A Plus but rather promised to follow the Gomoa Central MP into the gutter.
He emphasized that while he did receive campaign support, the funds were legitimate donations, not bribes.
“A Plus is calling me a thief because I took a campaign donation from Mr. Sledge,” Dr. Ayine stated.
“Let me be clear — I have enough personal and professional integrity to continue serving the Republic.”
He hinted at legal action against A Plus but said he was holding back for now, choosing instead to focus on delivering justice.
“But if he continues to make wild, unfounded accusations, I will meet him where it matters most.”
A Plus Unleashes Verbal Barrage
In a scathing social media tirade posted shortly after the AG’s remarks, A Plus hit back in a characteristically abrasive fashion.
“No!! That is not true,” he wrote. “What I said was, according to my sources, you begged for GHS500,000 to bribe the Appointments Committee. If you are an old fool, I will reset your brain. Stupid man!”
The post, which quickly went viral, has drawn condemnation across the political spectrum.
Many have criticized A Plus for abandoning the decorum expected of a sitting Member of Parliament, with some calling for disciplinary action.
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), under whose ticket Dr. Ayine serves, also issued a sharp warning: “It is deeply disappointing to witness A Plus resorting to abusive language against our respected Attorney-General. If he insults any of our appointees again, we will be compelled to take action regardless of any affiliations.”
On March 24, 2025, the Attorney-General disclosed during a press conference that his office had obtained evidence indicating top NSS officials were making illicit payments into private accounts, and even bribing a Ghanaian MP to kill media reports on the scandal.
While he initially did not name the MP, subsequent investigations and leaks pointed fingers at A Plus.
It was further revealed that two MPs — A Plus and former NSS boss and current MP Mustapha Ussif — were invited by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) for interrogation.
The two lawmakers reportedly appeared with their lawyers on April 7, 2025.
AG Points Finger at A Plus
Sources close to the Attorney-General’s office say that Dr. Ayine now believes A Plus may have served as an intermediary for NSS officials, receiving payments to influence the investigation’s outcome and suppress media attention.
“These are not just accusations,” a senior Justice Ministry official told The Daily Gist.
“There’s evidence that money changed hands with the understanding that stories would be buried and parliamentary scrutiny softened.”
The AG himself reinforced this claim at the April 30 briefing: “We have solid proof that money was paid to a Member of Parliament to interfere in this investigation. I will walk through mud to throw mud if that is what it takes to clean up this rot.”
History of Corruption at NSS
This is not the first time the NSS has been mired in scandal.
In 2014, under the Mahama administration, the Bureau was rocked by a similar ghost-name fraud scandal. Several officials were prosecuted, and some were dismissed.
The current episode is considered even more serious because it implicates sitting MPs, with potential consequences for the integrity of Ghana’s democratic institutions.
Political and Legal Fallout
While the Attorney-General prepares to file charges in the NSS payroll case in early May, this escalating feud with A Plus threatens to cloud the legal process with political controversy.
Critics have warned that the spat risks diverting attention from the real issue — accountability for millions of cedis lost to corruption.
Meanwhile, A Plus maintains his defiant posture, daring the Attorney-General to take him to court.
“If it comes to it, I’m ready for trial,” he posted. “But don’t come and act holier than thou when you’re part of the same system.”
