The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, have decisively refuted claims that President John Dramani Mahama’s administration is using the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) program to persecute political opponents. He stated unequivocally that the cases being pursued are based on meticulous investigations and substantial evidence, ensuring transparency and avoiding any perception of political targeting.
The Attorney-General emphasized that the President has consistently directed investigations and prosecutions under ORAL to be conducted with a rigorous standard of scrutiny, safeguarding the integrity of the legal process. He asserted that the goal is to maintain a ‘watertight’ examination of evidence, preventing any interpretation of political opposition as being targeted.
The establishment of the ORAL preparatory committee in February 2025, followed by a comprehensive report to the Office of the President, laid the groundwork for these investigations. The Attorney-General confirmed that 34 dockets have been initiated, with preliminary findings made across all 34.
‘A lot of them are being prepared for filing in court,’ Dr Ayine explained, further stating that the investigations involve multiple state institutions, including the Bureau of National Intelligence (BNI) and the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).’ He added that PwC, the forensic audit firm, has also submitted its report, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the evidence gathered.
Dr Ayine underscored that the government does not rely solely on investigative agencies; forensic audits are also integral to the process. He specifically cited the audit of the National Cathedral as a key example, where the President directed the Auditor-General to undertake the exercise, and PwC’s subsequent report was subsequently submitted. The Audit-General’s report, according to the Attorney-General, confirms the existence of funds transferred from a public account to a private company, ultimately leading to a significant financial loss.
‘If you take GH¢16.5 million of public funds, put them into an account of a company belonging to you and your wife, and spend it for private purposes, and the documentary evidence has been placed before a court of law, tell me how anyone can say that the Attorney-General, after placing this on record, is losing the case,’ he said, emphasizing that the prosecution is proceeding with ‘ watertight’ evidence.
The Attorney-General cautioned that he would not make any prejudicial comments on matters before the courts, stressing that ORAL is not limited to the 34 dockets developed from the committee’s report.
He further stated that investigations are also being pursued into other matters, including the activities of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Local Government, headed by Dennis Aboagye. He said ORAL is not merely about the 34 dockets that have been built. The Attorney-General expressed confidence that Ghanaians will begin to see the results of the prosecutions ‘sooner than later’. He reiterated that the President will not sanction the use of ORAL to persecute political opponents, insisting that the initiative is intended to promote accountability and recover public resources allegedly lost through corruption.
Dr Ayine concluded by emphasizing that the President would not approve the use of ORAL to persecute political opponents, stressing that the initiative was intended to promote accountability and recover public resources.
Watch Related Video
Source: Graphic Online
