Government releases 107 frozen assets to rightful owners

The NDC government has so far released 107 assets confiscated during the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) and Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) eras. The assets including houses have been released to their 51 owners

Dr Obed Asamoah, Attorney General and Minister of Justice was silent on the names of the beneficiaries, but said the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), has requested the release of another 50 confiscated assets to their 17 owners.

The Attorney General Department, he said is reviewing the request from CHRAJ because the reason under which some of the 50 assets were confiscated, fall outside the powers of the Commission. The Attorney-Generals department is currently engaged in legalities with CHRAJ over the extent of its powers in certain issues under the constitution.

Dr Asamoah said, according to guidelines approved by cabinet, the Ministry of Justice now co-ordinates all requests for the release of confiscated assets. "Although aggrieved persons can still apply to the Ministry of Interior, CHRAJ and the Confiscated Assets Committee, Ministry of Justice now has the authority to vet all such applications and authorize their release".

Dr Asamoah said the new arrangement has become necessary because confiscated assets fall under various categories including political and fraud, which calls for a central body to ensure co-ordination for the expeditious execution of the applications.

Under the guidelines, only assets seized for political reasons will be released to their owners. Those tainted with fraud or illegalities will however, be vetted and the appropriate action taken.

Dr Asamoah said, "whatever petition is forwarded to the Attorney General department would be looked at impartially." He said although the department's immediate concern is about assets confiscated during the AFRC and PNDC regimes, cases dating from the National Liberation Council (1966-69), National Redemption Council (1972-75) and the Supreme Military Council (1975-79) may be considered.