Attorney General and Minister for Justice Dr Dominic Ayine has dismissed allegations that his office is negotiating backdoor deals with suspects under the government’s Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) initiative, insisting that all prosecutions are being handled strictly in accordance with the law.
Speaking on Wednesday, February 5, 2026, during a working visit by Vice President Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang to the Ministry of Justice, Dr Ayine said claims of plea bargaining and compromised case files are false and unfounded.
He stressed that no docket submitted to the ministry has been tampered with and that the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) can confirm this.
Dr Ayine stated that 16 case dockets are currently under review, with prosecutors subjecting them to detailed scrutiny before moving forward. According to him, where investigations appear weak, his office requests further evidence from investigators rather than proceeding with flawed prosecutions.
He explained that the ministry is following this approach with the National Service prosecution case, ensuring that all loopholes in investigations are addressed before charges are filed.
The Attorney General used the occasion to reassure the public of the government’s commitment to accountability under the ORAL programme, stating that people are being held accountable and will continue to be held accountable.
Beyond the anti-corruption drive, Dr Ayine raised alarm over what he described as a growing wave of land compensation cases against the state, warning that the financial implications could be severe.
He disclosed that some claims reach as high as GH₵500 million, with many based on historical records alleging that compensation was not paid for lands acquired during the colonial era.
Dr Ayine warned that preliminary estimates suggest the cumulative claims could run into billions of Ghana cedis, posing a significant risk to the public purse.
He said claimants often retrieve documents from the archives and claim that the colonial government did not pay compensation for land, then take the government to court. He noted that such cases often succeed, even at the Supreme Court.
The Attorney General disclosed that he has directed the Solicitor General to prepare a comprehensive brief for President John Mahama on the scale and implications of the cases.
The ORAL Committee was established by President Mahama in January 2025 to investigate corruption allegations from the previous administration. The team, chaired by Member of Parliament for North Tongu Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, submitted its report to the President on February 10, 2025, after examining 230 cases.
The committee received 2,417 complaints, with 1,493 coming through calls on the toll-free line and 924 through emails. Committee member and private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu projected in January 2026 that more ORAL cases will be filed in court this year.
Dr Ayine confirmed in December 2025 during the Government Accountability Series that ORAL investigations are progressing steadily as authorities work towards filing charges that meet strict standards of criminal prosecution.
