A section of Ghanaians on social media, particularly on X, have expressed disappointment following the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine’s update on criminal cases at the recent Government’s Accountability Series.

In his update, the Attorney General justified the decision to drop all charges against the accused in the uniBank case, citing the achievement of a 60% asset recovery threshold.

He also used the platform to respond to criticisms, emphasising the complexities of the case and the practical challenges involved in recovering assets in high-stakes financial crimes.

Dr Ayine acknowledged that while convictions in these ongoing cases—as preferred by many Ghanaians, contribute to the accountability process; the notion of achieving 100% recovery of looted assets is ‘illusionary’.

“… Of course, jailing the person is also part of the process of accountability. I do understand when Ghanaians say we should jail them. If we focus on the recovery, it will be very illusionary for anyone to think that the Attorney General or the Republic can recover 100% in every case. In some cases, I may be lucky or let me say, the state will be lucky if the assets are not depreciated but are there in full and I can lay hands on them.

“That is how come that if you have noticed, since I came into office, we have always investigated the criminal conduct together with tracing the proceeds of crime. Except in the National Service case, there has been no major announcement of investigation that has not included the assets of the criminal enterprise,” he said.

His statement, however, has sparked reactions on X as netizens appears to cast doubt on the success of Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) which was championed by the government prior to assuming power.

While some agreed with the Attorney General that achieving a 100% recovery threshold may not be possible in certain cases, others voiced criticism of the position.

One user expressed the view that while the government campaigned on Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) and received goodwill from the electorate, its current approach appears to reflect a shift in tone.

“Politicians smh—campaigned with a slogan, a motto, a copy that convinced the electorate otherwise. The mandate was to RECOVER ALL LOOT; today it’s “illusionary?” After coming into office? So, on what bases did ORAL stem from? Bro, ORAL no atɔ nsuo mu; adane ORS!” a netizen expressed.

Another critic echoed similar sentiments, cautioning the government against failing to fulfill its promises.

Read some of the posts below:

👨🏾‍🍳🇬🇭: Politicians smh— campaigned with a slogan, a motto, a copy that convinced the electorate otherwise.

The mandate was to RECOVER ALL LOOT; today it’s “illusionary?” After coming into office? So on what bases did ORAL stem from?

Bro, ORAL no atɔ nsuo mu; adane ORS! https://t.co/JmMlljmiPk

— Ölele | Building OSN (@OleleSalvador) July 28, 2025

should have been ORSL — Operation Recover Some Loot https://t.co/5IVJkMW8rm

— van🥷🏾 (@ChingamPhoto) July 28, 2025

"operation recover ALL loot"

ghanaians didn't hold the pen to add that to the manifesto

they provided the marking scheme and yet are failing woefully

bar the performative displays, the fight against corruption has not improved,

and based on this attitude from the AG…

— yem (@abdulazizyem) July 28, 2025

So, if I’m elected as a public servant, I can steal from the public purse and simply offer to repay half when I’m caught? Fascinating. It seems the fight against corruption in this country is nothing but an illusion.

— GHDiaries (@ghdiariesnews) July 28, 2025

We all voted for NDC to recovery and jail people who has steal national property. With all due respect the Attorney-General is not ready for the job. If you can't it means you need to go home and let the one who can recover to come.

— What's Wrong (@EricAwuah82677) July 28, 2025

Now if all funds can’t be recovered then the person should serve the rest as jail term. Charley looks like this democratic style of government is not good, steal state money, return portion of it and enjoy the rest. This can’t happen in China 🇨🇳

— Pascal (@lussrich) July 28, 2025

Umm no one forced you to make ORAL your campaign message oo

— (っ◔◡◔)っ 🔥Kweku 🥂 (@KwekuAcheampo10) July 28, 2025

See how the argument has been misrepresented 😂

No one says recover 100%. We’re saying recovery cannot be the primary aim of CRIMINAL prosecution. The persons involved must be punished if found guilty, even if they return what was taken from the State. https://t.co/4P2vNWdPsp

— That Guy (@LordBogos) July 28, 2025

Of course we know this. But saying it out loud is insane - it's a dog whistle for all thieves to start morphing those 'assests' (including money) to something else, converting the assets, buying property, washing the money, etc. https://t.co/ZzsBaxSBLw

— THE NATION (@XONATION) July 28, 2025

Should have said this earlier. The song dey change wey e no dey sweet. https://t.co/6ltdE4V6JO

— Kplørla (@PrettyBoyKely) July 28, 2025

He should adopt more friendly and decorous language.

Telling taxpayers with honest expectations that their expectations are illusions?

Because the 4 years is quite a long time.

And it can get hot in here! https://t.co/wrqGq5g8Ip

— Timothy Selikem Donkor (@DonkorST) July 28, 2025

so the “all” in operation-recover-all-loot nu what does it mean? https://t.co/d4HTXwfkVV

— CEDRIC (@M00NC4KE_) July 28, 2025

With all due respect, does AG Ayine understand what the OPERATION RECOVER ALL LOOT, his government used to campaign mean?

Can someone please remind him? https://t.co/g7utEEHHKf

— Goldcoast boy🇬🇭 (@ghanianpride) July 28, 2025