
The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has urged Ghanaians to exercise patience as the government pursues the recovery of alleged proceeds of crime from former officials. He emphasized that criminal prosecutions are delicate processes that require time, diligence, and meticulous attention to detail to secure convictions.
“In criminal law, charges must be specific because missing an element of specificity can result in a case being thrown out. That is why I keep urging Ghanaians to be patient. We need thorough investigations so that when we go to court, there is no doubt,” Dr. Ayine said.
He made the appeal in Accra while providing updates on Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL), a government initiative aimed at retrieving looted state assets. He acknowledged the public’s desire for swift accountability but reminded citizens that justice, though slow, ultimately yields precise results.
“Accountability requires resources and time. Rushing to court could result in cases being dismissed on technicalities, and the same Ghanaians could unfairly label me incompetent,” he added.
Dr. Ayine disclosed that Hannan Abdul-Wahab, former Chief Executive of the National Buffer Stock Company, and his wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni, are set to be charged on Friday with multiple offenses, including theft, conspiracy to steal, willfully causing financial loss to the state, using public office for profit, obtaining public property by false statements, and money laundering.
According to the AG, investigations by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) revealed that Mr. Abdul-Wahab and his collaborators operated a criminal enterprise, with estimated losses of around GH¢58 million. Seven entities linked to the couple were allegedly used to launder these funds through property acquisitions nationwide, including real estate and luxury goods. Bank documents reportedly show that they became the largest depositors at Republic Bank during this period.
Further investigations indicated that in 2018, Sawtina Enterprise, associated with a third party linked to the couple, applied to become a licensed supplier to the Buffer Stock Company.
Dr. Ayine also provided updates on other alleged scandals involving former officials, noting that investigations into projects such as the District Road Improvement Project, National Lotteries, Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam, SML, Frontier Health Care Services, Free Wifi, National Ambulance, Boankra Integrated Inland Logistics Terminal, Sputnik V Vaccines Case, and various land lotting cases have been concluded. Investigations are ongoing in matters relating to the All African Games, Mathematical Sets, Bank of Ghana Building, Stadia Renovation, and National Cathedral projects.
Acknowledging public frustration over the pace of prosecutions, Dr. Ayine stressed that he will not be pressured into rushing cases for political reasons. “I hope Ghanaians will bear with us so that we can do an excellent job for this republic. ORAL is on course, and we will achieve accountability in a manner justifiable by law,” he said.
BY JULIUS YAO PETETSI
???? Follow Ghanaian Times WhatsApp Channel today. https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAjG7g3gvWajUAEX12Q
???? Trusted News. Real Stories. Anytime, Anywhere.
? Join our WhatsApp Channel now! https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAjG7g3gvWajUAEX12Q

The post Be patient: AG pleads with Ghanaians over recovery of loot, prosecutions appeared first on Ghanaian Times.
Read Full Story
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Google+
YouTube
LinkedIn
RSS