A former Director of the Ghana School of Law, Kwaku Ansah-Asare says the government's Operation Recover All Loots (ORAL) is not recognised by law.

He was responding to the Attorney General-designate, Dr Dominic Ayine who noted that ORAL is constitutionally grounded with an effort to promote accountability in public office, during his appearance before Parliament's Appointments Committee on Monday, January 13, when asked about the legality of the ORAL team.

“On this particular issue, I think he (Dr Ayine) erred slightly by trying to answer affirmatively regarding the legality. The ORAL initiative is devoid of legality, and as an aspiring Attorney General, he must decide whether an act is legally supported or not. So, as far as that issue is concerned, I must respectfully differ with his opinion. I believe ORAL has no legal support,” he said during an interview on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Tuesday, January 14.

He then advised Dr Ayine to “speak plainly."

"If it is devoid of legality, he should tell the nation that he cannot defend it and put the matter to rest. Otherwise, he will appear ambivalent, and that could cause serious problems for the nation."

Mr Ansah-Asare also expressed dissatisfaction with how Dr Ayine responded to questions regarding ORAL during the vetting process. “I think he posed as a politician and not as a lawyer, which is something he shouldn’t have done,” he stated.

Legal practitioners, particularly those from the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), have raised concerns over the legality of the ORAL initiative, arguing that the committee lacks legal backing and that its operation is unconstitutional.

While the debate over the legality of ORAL continues to generate varied opinions across the country, the team, led by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has already commenced operations.

The team has visited several locations related to suspected cases of looted state assets, including a state land that they claim was illegally acquired by Nana Attobrah Quaicoe, Director-General of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB).