Former Auditor General and prominent member of the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) Committee, Daniel Domelevo, has strongly challenged those criticizing the committee's activities as unlawful, urging them to pursue legal action if they have concerns about its legitimacy.

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In a statement on Joy News on Wednesday, January 15, Domelevo emphasized that ORAL’s efforts are firmly grounded in legal authority. He assured that should the court issue a ruling against the committee, ORAL will honor the decision, but only after it has had the opportunity to present its case before the judiciary.

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“Let me be very clear, We are working and being told we are operating illegally. The courts are not closed. They are still there. So, if anyone thinks we are unlawful, they should go to court. If the courts rule against their operations, the office would comply. Let the court tell us, Oh, guys, you cannot even collect information when people bring it to you. If that happens, we will shut down and go,” he added.

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In response to concerns surrounding the office's activities, Domelevo emphasized that the approach taken by the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) Committee is entirely voluntary and does not involve actively inviting individuals.

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“We are not even inviting anybody. The publication went out from the office of the then-president-elect, saying that if you have information, bring it to us via the provided hotlines, website, or email. That’s all we are using. The issue of inviting anyone does not even arise.” he clarified.

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Domelevo also reaffirmed that the data being collected and subsequently shared with appropriate institutions such as the EOCO, police, and Office of the Special Prosecutor, is strictly in line with legal requirements.

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He pointed out a lack of consistency in how similar initiatives were viewed in the past. He cited a 2017 case in which foreign firms were contracted to gather data and aid in investigations without controversy, in stark contrast to the current scrutiny faced by the ORAL Committee.

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“In September 2017, the senior minister Yaw Osafo Marfo announced that foreign firms had been engaged to collect data, investigate, and even help with prosecution. Back then, it was fine. But now, a simple team collecting data is a problem. That is the hypocrisy we have in this country.”

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He continued to assert that until the law specifically prohibits their actions, they will continue with their work. “Until something is prohibited by law, it’s lawful. Otherwise, one day you will say, ‘Daniel, you are being unlawful by wearing a smock into the studio.’”

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He concluded by reiterating his position “We collect data and hand it over to the president. The president may then decide to refer it to the appropriate body be it EOCO, the police, or the Office of the Special Prosecutor. That’s all we do. If we are working unlawfully, go to court. Until then, we will continue doing what we are doing lawfully and transparently.”

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