Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has called for the use of civil lawsuits to recover looted state assets, especially in cases where criminal prosecutions are hindered by insufficient evidence or systemic weaknesses.
Speaking on TV3’s Key Points today, Kpebu provided updates on the progress of Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL), an initiative aimed at reclaiming unlawfully acquired state resources.
Highlighting the challenges of pursuing criminal convictions in corruption cases, Kpebu said, “Any lawyer who practices daily in court will tell you that he’s not afraid to lose.
Even if you lose, you move the jurisprudence forward. So, we should try civil lawsuits where criminal cases are difficult to win due to insufficient evidence or the time spans involved.”
He stressed the importance of attempting civil cases, even if success is not guaranteed, as the process could provide valuable legal precedents for future cases.
“If we were to lose, we wouldn’t lose the lesson. Even in defeat, there is progress,” he added, pointing out that unexplained wealth orders and civil claims could serve as effective tools for asset recovery.
Kpebu also raised concerns about political interference and weak institutional frameworks undermining anti-corruption efforts.
He cited the stalled “Ghana Must Go” cash scandal investigation, in which a businessman allegedly delivered cash to Parliament, as an example of political brinkmanship.
“Hon. Apia Kubi, who was involved, refused to disclose the identity of the businessman, and that frustrated the case. That case has become virtually yamutu [a lost cause],” Kpebu stated.
He criticized the influence of political figures and powerful individuals who interfere in legal processes. “Our systems are weak. People who have committed crimes don’t want to go down, and our institutions, including the judiciary, often face undue pressure to delay or halt prosecutions,” he explained.
Kpebu strongly advocated for exploring the civil angle as an alternative means to recover stolen assets. He argued that civil lawsuits could bypass some of the barriers faced in criminal prosecutions while still holding individuals accountable for corruption.
“There is nothing wrong with exploring the civil angle,” Kpebu reiterated, emphasizing that civil suits could help retrieve state resources where criminal cases fail to achieve convictions.
Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL), led by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, continues to make strides in its mission to reclaim unlawfully acquired state assets.
Kpebu praised ORAL’s efforts and urged public support for its initiatives, emphasizing that asset recovery is a critical component of tackling corruption and restoring public trust.
Hehe 😂Vawulence 😂Lawyer Martin Kpebu changed the dial of “It is Possible Radio 📻 “ from 38.2fm to 41.0Fm and updates on Operation recover all loot 💰 (ORAL). pic.twitter.com/rsMa3iCnoI
— Aristotlektv (@aristotledada) January 11, 2025
