AG Ayine rejects calls for speedy ORAL prosecutions, insists on due process over pressure

Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has reaffirmed his commitment to upholding due process in prosecutions arising from the government’s Operation Recover All Loots (ORAL) initiative, stating he will not be rushed into court action merely to satisfy public expectations.

Speaking at the government’s Accountability Series on Wednesday, Dr. Ayine stressed that prosecutorial integrity and procedural accuracy remain paramount if convictions are to stand the test of legal scrutiny and public trust.

He further argued that rushing cases could result in procedural errors that enable defence counsel to raise technical objections, risking dismissal and undermining the credibility of the Attorney-General’s office.

“I don’t want to rush to court, have objections raised and cases thrown out, only for the same people calling for haste to turn around and say I am incompetent,” Dr. Ayine asserted, adding, “I was never an incompetent lawyer in private practice; I don’t intend to be seen as incompetent in public office.”

The Attorney General emphasised that the AG’s Department remains committed to securing justice, but prosecutorial work under ORAL must be thorough, evidence-based, and strategically grounded to ensure credible convictions and sustained public confidence.

His remarks follow earlier concerns raised by several personalities, including former Auditor-General and ORAL task force member, Daniel Domelevo, who suggested that government efforts to prosecute corrupt officials have moved at a “snail pace” nine months into the administration.