Story: News Desk
Government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu says Cabinet has approved the reintroduction of special tribunals to fast-track corruption and illicit wealth cases.
Speaking to the media , the Abura Asebu-Kwamankese Member of Parliament said the move was intended to address delays in the judicial system and ensure cases linked to the government’s anti-corruption agenda were handled more efficiently.
“Cabinet has approved the reintroduction of the tribunal system, which, in any event, is in the Constitution.”
He explained that the tribunals will focus on cases involving the government’s Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) initiative as well as other cases involving illegal wealth.
“It is something that has been resuscitated, and 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’s comments come amid criticism from some anti-corruption advocates who believe the government is moving too slowly in pursuing corruption-related
Responding to concerns raised by some members of the ORAL committee, including former Auditor-General Daniel Domelevo, he questioned what critics mean when they say government is not acting fast enough.
“You have to define what the expression means by government is not moving fast enough.”
He pointed to several actions taken by investigative agencies since the Attorney General assumed 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.”
He said investigations had already led to arrests, prosecutions and asset seizures.
“He 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.”
According to him, once cases were filed in court, the pace of proceedings was determined by the judiciary and not the executive.
“When a case goes to court, not Mr Dumelovo or any of the critics can determine how the judge conducts the case.”
