Former Auditor-General, Daniel Yaw Domelevo, who is also a member of the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) Committee has asked persons who have reservations with the committee to go to court.
He has defended the operation of the committee saying they have not engaged in anything illegal as a section of the public has been asserting.
Mr. Domelevo has clarified that their activities aim at solely focusing on data collection to assist the executive which is lawful and straightforward.
“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.
“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 said on Accra-based JoyNews Wednesday, January 15, 2025.
He further dismissed claims that the committee is overstepping its mandate by wallowing in the jurisdiction of other anti-graft agencies.
“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.
“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,” he explained.
He asserted that those criticising the committee unnecessarily are doing so out of fear and sheer hypocrisy. He indicated that those who fear that their actions may be exposed by the committee are the ones launching a backlash.
“The best form of defence is an attack. Anybody who thinks this may lead to them being exposed will definitely attack,” he noted.
Highlighting the inconsistencies in the criticisms of the public, he said similar initiatives adopted in the past were not viewed in same lens.
“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.”
He also humorously suggested that without clear legal prohibitions, even trivial matters could be arbitrarily declared unlawful.
“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,’” he remarked, underscoring the importance of clarity in legal matters.
Mr Domelevo reiterated that ORAL’s work is entirely voluntary and aimed at supporting the executive in making informed decisions about corruption-related cases.
Mr. Domelevo asked those who have concerns to channel them through the appropriate quarters instead of making accusations without basis.
“If we are working unlawfully, go to court. Until then, we will continue doing what we are doing—lawfully and transparently,” he concluded.
ORAL will set a new standard against state looting – Kwesimintsim MP
