Government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu has rejected claims that the government is moving too slowly in pursuing cases under the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) initiative.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Tuesday, the Abura Asebu-Kwamankese MP insisted that government has made significant progress, citing arrests, ongoing trials and asset seizures worth billions of cedis.
Responding to concerns raised by critics, including former Auditor-General Daniel Domelevo, who questioned the pace of work by state agencies, Mr Kwakye Ofosu said the criticism fails to recognise the progress already made.
“You have to define the expression mean by government is not moving fast enough.”
He pointed to investigations carried out by state agencies, particularly the National Intelligence Bureau and the Economic and Organised Crime Office.
He also highlighted the work supervised by the Attorney General since assuming office.
“The Attorney General was sworn into office sometime in February last year, and within a year, he is able to supervise a situation where 27 dockets and another 40 cases are being looked into by EOCO.”
According to him, these investigations have already led to significant enforcement actions.
“Has been able to get 140 people and beyond and seized assets worth 1.5 billion Ghana cedis with quite a number of people standing trial.”
Mr Kwakye Ofosu said once cases are filed in court, the pace of proceedings is no longer within the control of the executive.
“When a case goes to court, not Mr Domelevo or any of the critics can determine how the judge conducts the case.”
He stressed that the government cannot interfere with judicial processes to accelerate prosecutions.
“It is imperative. You see, when we’re in opposition, we used to accuse the NPP of manipulating the judiciary. We used to say that the NPP did not allow for an independent judiciary.”
He argued that it would, therefore, be inconsistent for the current government to interfere in court proceedings to achieve political outcomes.
“It is not the submission of the individuals saying this, I would imagine that we should manipulate the judiciary to achieve certain political things that government cannot do.”
He explained that the responsibility of government is to gather evidence and present cases before the courts.
“What government can do is to build a case, gather sufficient evidence and then go to court to convince the court that this individual or that individual has committed this crime.”
“For which reason this punishment ought to be meted out.”
He added that where stolen assets are identified, the state will work to retrieve them. “And where we find any assets involved, we retrieve them for the benefit of the case.”
Mr Kwakye Ofosu acknowledged that delays in the justice system remain a longstanding concern.
“Of course, are we all frustrated about the pace of work of the Ghanaian judiciary? It is a long-standing criticism against the Ghanaian judiciary.”
However, he stressed that this cannot be blamed on the executive branch. “But it is not something that government bears responsibility for.”
He revealed that government is exploring reforms to help speed up certain cases.
“Government has tried to find ways around it.”
“So, for instance, cabinet has approved the reintroduction of the tribunal system.”
He explained that the tribunals will help deal with corruption-related cases and financial crimes.
“Very soon, it will be rolled out to deal with cases of ORAL and cases involving illegal money, other cases that clog our court system.”
Mr Kwakye Ofosu maintained that while reforms are underway, the government cannot dictate the pace of court proceedings.
“But as for the fact that government can dictate the pace of cases being handled by a court or a judge, that one is beyond its capacity.”
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com
