Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, says he remains firmly committed to prosecuting and jailing individuals who have looted public resources, but acknowledges that in some cases, asset recovery through negotiation is the more pragmatic path.
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Speaking at the Government Accountability Series at the Jubilee House, Dr. Ayine stated:
“Make no mistake about my intentions, I want to jail persons who have looted state resources. But I am pragmatic enough to know that it’s not always possible.”
In cases where prosecution isn’t viable, he explained, non-conviction-based asset recovery is a practical alternative.
Dr. Ayine clarified that this approach aligns with the goals of the Operation Recovery All Loots (ORAL) initiative, which prioritizes the return of stolen funds and property.
He reminded the public that plea bargaining remains open for individuals found to have misappropriated state funds.
“Recovering the loot and jailing the looters are not mutually exclusive. Both serve justice,” he added.
He emphasized that under Ghana’s Courts Act, 1993 (Act 459), restitution agreements can lead to non-custodial sentences where property harm is involved. This little-used provision, he argued, should be leveraged more often to advance recovery efforts.
Citing the recent Kwabena Adu-Boahene case, Dr. Ayine said he had been clear from the outset that his office was open to plea negotiations with those willing to return stolen assets.
“Our statute allows us to drop charges in exchange for restitution. It’s not about letting people off the hook, it’s about prioritizing results,” he said.
