Attorney General and Minister for Justice-Designate, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has strongly defended the constitutionality of the government’s “Operation Recover All Loot” (ORAL) initiative, describing it as a crucial mechanism to recover stolen state resources and promote accountability.
During his vetting by Parliament’s Appointments Committee on January 13, 2025 Dr. Ayine dismissed concerns over the legality of the ORAL team, which was established in December 2024 and chaired by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
Dr. Ayine acknowledged that while ORAL is not a traditional legal body, its operations align with the core principles of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.
“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 explained.
He further emphasised that ORAL’s mandate targets politically exposed persons who have abused public office to amass wealth through illegal means.
“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,” Dr. Ayine asserted.
Addressing concerns about the non-legal nature of the ORAL team, Dr. Ayine clarified that this does not equate to illegality. “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 the rights of individuals under investigation.
Commitment to Fairness and Justice
Responding to concerns raised in the Africa Watch Human Rights Report regarding past abuses associated with public tribunals, Dr. Ayine assured the Committee that such violations would not recur under his leadership. He proposed drafting a Public Tribunal Court Act to regulate the tribunals, ensuring adherence to the highest standards of fairness and justice.
“My proposal going into this office is that we will enact a public tribunal’s Act that will be comprehensive and contain restrictions in terms of the conduct of the affairs of the tribunal,” he stated.
He also pledged to realign the country’s governance framework with the principles enshrined in the 1992 Constitution.
Expertise in International Arbitration
Dr. Ayine highlighted his extensive experience in international arbitration, assuring the Committee of his readiness to protect Ghana’s interests in global legal disputes.
“I can assure the house that if they are [legal contracts] before the London Court of International Arbitration, I’m quite familiar with that tribunal. I have appeared before that tribunal several times and will put in measures to ensure that the interest of the public is not compromised,” he said.
He also defended the track record of the previous National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration, noting that no questionable incidents of judgment debts occurred under their tenure.
“For four years, the US government described the Attorney General’s Office as a corruption-free zone. During our tenure, there was no single incident of questionable judgments or misconduct in the execution of the Republic’s obligations,” he added.
Ethical Practice and Transparency
Addressing concerns about potential conflicts of interest, Dr. Ayine clarified his previous role as legal counsel for Cautious Mining, a private entity.
He assured the Committee that he no longer represents the company and fully understands the constitutional prohibition against public officers placing themselves in positions of conflicting interests.
“As Attorney General of the Republic, I am the Republic’s lawyer, and my duty is to act solely in its best interest. I will not, in any manner, compromise the interests of the Republic of Ghana,” he stated.
Dr. Ayine underscored his commitment to maintaining a corruption-free ministry, drawing on his experience as Deputy Attorney General under Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong.
He assured the Committee of his readiness to implement measures to prevent misconduct and uphold the principles of ethical governance.
Accountability and Integrity
Dr. Ayine concluded by urging the Committee to trust his dedication to upholding the highest standards of legal professionalism and ethics.
“I will serve the Republic with integrity and honour, ensuring that every action taken is in accordance with the best traditions of the legal profession and in the interest of the Ghanaian people,” he said.
