Private legal practitioner Kwesi Botchway Jnr has criticised the government’s handling of the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) initiative, describing it as a failed legal process that has instead been turned into a political tool.

Speaking on JoyNews’ AM on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, Botchway Jnr said ORAL is ‘clearly a matter of law’ but accused the government of poor application and politicisation of prosecutions.

He argued that the initiative, which was touted as a major anti-corruption drive, has not lived up to its legal mandate.

“This government has performed abysmally regarding ORAL. This government has successfully turned prosecutions into performances. This government has clearly turned justice into a tool for convenience,” he stated.

Lawyer raises alarm over politicisation of security and judiciary

Botchway Jnr recalled that while in opposition, the current government made strong public claims that officials of the previous administration had looted state resources.

However, he noted that nearly a year after assuming office, there is little evidence of successful prosecutions to back those claims.

“Fast forward, it’s almost a year now. The number of people lying in court, in my humble and respected opinion, lacks the weight of evidence to secure any conviction,” he said, questioning the strength of the cases being pursued.

He also criticised what he described as trial by public opinion, accusing the government of pronouncing suspects guilty in the public space even before matters are properly tested in court.

According to him, such actions undermine due process and the credibility of the justice system.

ORAL: 2026 is going to be a different year - Attorney General declares

“Even before this government proceeded to court, they organised stage performances to pronounce these persons guilty. They decided to shape public perception, label these people as criminals, label them as thieves, and label them as enemies of the state,” Botchway Jnr said.

The legal practitioner further accused the Attorney General of withdrawing cases involving individuals affiliated with the governing party, despite earlier promises to recover billions of dollars.

He cited the Saglemi Housing case, a criminal matter involving the current Bank of Ghana Governor, and the prosecution of former COCOBOD Chief Executive Stephen Opuni, estimating that withdrawn cases together involve about $10 billion of taxpayers’ money, and questioned whether ORAL has become ‘a tool for political convenience’ rather than a genuine anti-corruption effort.

MRA/AE

Acting Defence Minister Ato Forson inaugurates 9-Member Ministerial Advisory Board