Attorney General and Justice Minister-Designate, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has defended the constitutionality of the government’s “Operation Recover All Loot” (ORAL) team, describing it as a vital mechanism to promote accountability and recover stolen state resources.

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During his vetting by Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, January 13, 2025, Dr Ayine dismissed concerns about the legal basis of the ORAL team, which was established on December 18, 2024, and is chaired by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.Dr Ayine acknowledged that ORAL is not a traditional legal body but asserted that its operations align with the values and principles of Ghana’s Constitution.

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He emphasized the preamble of the 1992 Constitution as the foundational basis for the team’s mandate.“If you look at the preamble to our Constitution, it is very clear about the fundamental values underpinning it. The value of accountability is one of the principles articulated in the preamble,” he stated.

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ORAL, established by President John Dramani Mahama on December 18, 2024, is tasked with recovering state properties and assets unlawfully taken by individuals, especially during past administrations. The five-member team, led by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, aims to ensure accountability and restore public confidence in the management of state assets.

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The appointee further explained that ORAL is designed to ensure accountability by targeting politically exposed persons who have misused public office to amass wealth through illegal means.According to Ayine, the team’s mandate is to recover stolen property, funds, and other intangible resources for the benefit of the state.

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“ORAL is supposed to exact accountability from politically exposed persons who misuse their office to loot public resources by way of property, money, and other intangible resources. And so, ORAL is constitutional,” Ayine asserted.He further clarified that the non-legal nature of the ORAL team does not equate to illegality.

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“The fact that it is a non-legal body doesn’t mean it is illegal,” he said, adding that the team operates within a framework that respects the rule of law and upholds the rights of individuals under investigation.

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