Dr Dominic Ayine, the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, has said the $20 billion ORAL’s projection recovery could be achieved if offshore funds being pursued are added.
It will be recalled that on February 10, 2025, the ORAL team submitted their final report to President John Mahama, who has since directed the Attorney General for further actions.
The chairman of Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL), and Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa revealed that with just 36 cases, Ghana can potentially recover $ 20.49 billion in stolen state resources.
According to the Attorney General, Ablakwa’s $20 billion ORAL’s projection recovery places enormous pressure on him because Ghanaians now expect that amount to be delivered.
Speaking on Starr Chat with Bola Ray on Thursday, Dr Ayine explained that the $20 billion was Ablakwa’s own calculations and estimates.
He, however, asserted that the recovery could approach $20 billion if funds being pursued offshore are taken into account.
Dr Ayine detailed, “First, I was asked when we are going to see the $20 billion being recovered. I explained that this figure was a projection made by the ORAL Committee Chairperson, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, when we came into power.
“On the day the ORAL report was handed over to me, he mentioned the $20.1 billion figure. However, that amount was based on his own calculations and estimates.” He stated.
He further explained, “When you take DRIP, the amount involved is over $100 million. When you consider the estimated value of lands allegedly looted, including prime lands such as those in Cantonments, the figures rise significantly.
However, the amount mentioned by the ORAL Chairman was more of a back-of-the-envelope calculation rather than a precise or verified figure. The expectation of a $20 billion recovery places enormous pressure on me because the public now expects that amount to be delivered.”
Dr Ayine further detailed, “It could approach $20 billion if funds being pursued offshore are taken into account, because a lot of money was moved out of the country. But when it comes to what is currently in-country, the figures will depend on the specific cases under investigation.”
Meanwhile, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, has warned the ruling NDC government that if the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) fails, Ghana is finished.
According to Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghanaians want swift justice, but the wheels of justice grind slowly.
He revealed that hundreds of houses have been confiscated, and numerous accounts have been frozen.
Ablakwa boldly added that if ORAL fails, Ghana is finished, adding that the very survival of our democracy is in peril.
Speaking in an interview on TV3, Ablakwa noted that the Attorney General, Dr Dominic Ayine Akuritinga Ayine, is working tirelessly on the ORAL cases.
He explained, “The Attorney General does not want to go to court and give anyone a chance to escape on some technicality or sloppy investigation. He ensures the evidence is solid, making it very difficult for anyone to evade justice”.
“Hundreds of houses have been confiscated, numerous accounts have been frozen, and assets are being secured with support from investigative bodies including IOKO, BNI, Shiraj, and OSP.” He emphasised that if these assets are auctioned, “significant funds will be retrieved for the taxpayer”, he added.
The foreign minister reassured Ghanaians, “Yes, people want swift justice, but the wheels of justice grind slowly. What matters is the commitment, and I can assure you, our commitment has not faltered”.
“The president keeps telling us, I will not save you, I will not protect you, I will not be a clearing agent. See what is going on, learn from it, and conduct yourselves with accountability, transparency, and integrity,” he said.
“ORAL must succeed because we have no choice. If ORAL fails, we are finished, and the very survival of our democracy is in peril,” he said.