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The Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dominic Ayine, has dismissed claims that the government’s Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) initiative is failing, insisting that ongoing corruption prosecutions are instead mounting pressure on the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).
According to Dr. Ayine, current court cases involving alleged corruption-related offences have created anxiety within the NPP because some former officials risk possible jail terms.
Speaking to journalists after appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Wednesday, May 20, the Attorney General described assertions that the government is shifting attention away from ORAL as inaccurate.
“When statements like that are being made that we are doing this because ORAL is failing, ORAL is not failing,” he stated.
Dr. Ayine further argued that his office has made significant progress in prosecuting corruption-related offences since he assumed office.
“I am the first Attorney General in the history of the Fourth Republic to have brought five corruption cases in one year. Go back and check the records,” he said.
He maintained that the cases currently before the courts demonstrate the government’s commitment to fighting corruption and ensuring accountability.
“What is happening in court now is rather putting pressure on them because they know that I have been so diligent in my investigations. I have been so diligent in the prosecutions that they are afraid that their people will go to jail for the acts of corruption that they engaged in,” he added.
The Attorney General stressed that the ORAL initiative remains active and on course despite criticisms from the opposition.
“So the accusation that we are shifting focus away from ORAL is not something that I will pay heed to because ORAL is on track and ORAL is going to succeed,” he stated.