Dominic Ayine, the Attorney General and Minister for Justice Designate, has affirmed the legality of Operation Recover All Loots(ORAL) by the National Democratic Congress during his vetting.
He clarified that Act 30 thus the Criminal and Other Offenses Procedure Act does not establish any specific enforcement bodies that are mandated to operationalize criminal procedure but rather outlines the procedures for handling criminal trials and the treatment of evidence in such cases.
He explained that ORAL investigations are a critical tool for ensuring accountability, particularly for politically exposed individuals and public officials. He emphasized that oral investigations aim to hold individuals accountable for the misuse of public resources, whether in the form of property, money, or other assets.
Addressing concerns over the legality of ORAL investigations, Domnic Ayine differentiated between a body being “non-legal” and “illegal.” He stressed that the absence of a specific legal body to enforce ORAL procedures does not render them unlawful, as they are rooted in the constitutional principles of accountability and transparency.
His statements aimed to clarify the role of oral investigations in promoting justice and responsible governance, aligning with the constitutional values enshrined in Ghana’s legal framework.
