Private legal practitioner Lawyer Alex Quartey has sharply criticized the formation of the Operation Recover All Loots (ORAL) Committee by President John Dramani Mahama, asserting that its establishment undermines his reputation as a democratic leader.
Speaking in an interview with Class 91.3 FM, Mr. Quartey questioned the legality and mandate of the committee, describing it as an overreach that bypasses established constitutional bodies empowered to investigate and recover state assets.
“The moment John Dramani Mahama formed that committee, it reduces his mark as a democratic leader. Why? Because you must ask yourself: does this committee have legal backing? If not, why was it formed?” he asked.
Lawyer Quartey argued that the committee’s lack of statutory authority raises fundamental concerns. “Anything that has no legal backing has no legal backing. Does this committee have prosecutorial powers? No. Can they enforce their findings in court? No,” he emphasized.
He painted a scenario where citizens’ rights could be trampled under the committee’s operations. “Imagine someone walks into your house claiming your property belongs to the state, without any legal process. How would you feel?” he queried.
He further pointed out that Ghana has constitutionally mandated bodies like the Auditor-General, the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO), and the Special Prosecutor’s Office, which are equipped to handle such investigations within the confines of the law.
Lawyer Quartey also touched on historical instances of political interference in land allocation, noting that the issue predates Mahama’s administration. “This is not new.
Go back to the PNDC era, NDC One under Jerry John Rawlings, NDC Two under Prof. Mills, and even NDC Three under Mahama, and you will see cases of ministers and government appointees acquiring state lands without due process,” he alleged.
He challenged anyone to dispute his claims, stating, “Somebody should come and say I’m lying, and I will match them fact for fact.
The ORAL Committee, chaired by North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, was established on December 18, 2024, to recover alleged looted state assets.
However, its activities, which include inspecting private properties suspected of belonging to the state, have come under heavy criticism from opposition figures and civil society groups.
Critics like Lawyer Quartey argue that the committee’s approach lacks transparency, accountability, and respect for due process. “Walking from house to house to collect ‘data’ is not governance.
It is not the way to recover assets in a democratic society,” he said.
The criticism of ORAL comes as President Mahama faces increasing scrutiny over his governance style.
Video: “The moment John Dramani Mahama formed that committee (ORAL), reduces his mark as a democratic leader.” – Lawyer Alex Quartey, Private Legal Practitioner pic.twitter.com/oEUYEKOSDi
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