Former Auditor General and member of the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) Committee, Daniel Domelevo, has robustly responded to critics who assert that the committee’s activities are unlawful, urging them to pursue legal action if they believe so.
In an interview on Wednesday, January 15, Domelevo emphasized that the operations conducted by ORAL are fully compliant with the law. He stated that should the court determine their activities to be illegal, the committee would adhere to the court’s decision after presenting their case.
“Let me clarify, we are being accused of operating illegally. The courts are accessible and operational. Therefore, if anyone believes our actions are unlawful, they should take the matter to court. Should the courts rule against us, we will comply. If the court instructs us that we cannot even gather information voluntarily provided to us, we will cease our operations,” he remarked.
In response to concerns regarding the nature of the office’s engagement, Domelevo clarified that they are not soliciting information but rather collecting it on a voluntary basis.
“We are not inviting anyone. A publication was issued from the office of the then-president-elect, indicating that individuals with information could reach out to us through designated hotlines, our website, or email. That is the extent of our outreach. The notion of inviting individuals does not apply,” he explained.
Domelevo further asserted that the office’s initiatives to gather information and relay it to pertinent authorities, such as the EOCO, the police, or the Office of the Special Prosecutor, are conducted within the framework of the law.
He also highlighted the discrepancies in the perception of similar initiatives, referencing a 2017 program in which foreign companies were engaged to gather data and assist with investigations without any backlash. “In September 2017, Senior Minister Yaw Osafo Marfo announced the engagement of foreign firms for data collection, investigation, and even prosecution support. At that time, it was acceptable. However, now, a mere team collecting data is viewed as problematic. This reflects the hypocrisy present in our nation.”
He further maintained that as long as the law does not explicitly forbid their actions, they will persist in their operations. “Unless something is legally prohibited, it remains lawful. Otherwise, one day you might claim, ‘Daniel, you are acting unlawfully by wearing a smock into the studio.’”
He concluded by reaffirming his stance: “We collect data and submit it to the president. The president may then choose to refer it to the appropriate agency, whether it be EOCO, the police, or the Office of the Special Prosecutor. That is the extent of our role. If our actions are deemed unlawful, take us to court. Until then, we will continue to operate lawfully and transparently.”