Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame has recognized the advantages of plea bargaining in addressing financial and economic crime but has also cautioned against its potential misuse.
Speaking at the 41st Cambridge International Symposium on Economic Crime at Jesus College, University of Cambridge, Mr. Dame discussed the complexities and risks associated with plea deals.
He emphasized that plea bargaining should not be employed solely to recover criminal proceeds without securing an admission of guilt, as this undermines the core principles of criminal justice.
Mr. Dame warned that such practices could jeopardize the integrity of prosecutors and create misleading perceptions about their commitment to upholding the law.
Dame stressed the need for a “delicate balance” in implementing plea bargains, especially in cases involving economic crimes that affect public resources. He argued that plea deals should be contingent upon a clear acknowledgment of wrongdoing.
However, he acknowledged that there might be instances where a plea agreement or Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) could be appropriate without an admission of guilt, particularly when proving the crime is exceptionally difficult or when other factors make a trial less favorable.
His comments underscored the challenge of maintaining justice while effectively tackling economic crime on a global scale and highlighted the importance of international cooperation in these efforts.
