Members of the Operation Recover All Loots (ORAL) team, particularly North Tongu lawmaker Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu, should resist the temptation to discuss information on suspected acts of corruption they receive from the public in the media, UK-based analyst Michael Danquah has advised.
Mr. Danquah stressed that it is crucial for Mr. Ablakwa and Mr. Kpebu to recognise the unique circumstances they find themselves in, requiring caution with their media commentaries on such matters, especially when the accused persons have not been given the opportunity to respond to the allegations.
His comments follow ORAL’s announcement on Friday, 20 December, that the team had received a comprehensive dossier on the National Service ghost names scandal.
Mr. Ablakwa shared the update on his X (formerly Twitter) page, stating:
“We are extremely grateful to The Fourth Estate and the Media Foundation for West Africa for the presentation and their exceptional patriotism. Together, we shall reset Ghana and recover all loot.”
https://editors.3news.com/news/politics/boakye-agyarko-calls-for-reforms-to-reclaim-npp-from-poor-leadership/
In response to this development, Mr. Danquah told journalists:
“It is commendable that the ORAL team has begun receiving information, but I urge its members to resist the temptation to discuss these matters in the media.
“The accused individuals must be given the opportunity to respond to the allegations. Discussing such issues publicly risks prejudging them in the court of public opinion before they are properly addressed by state institutions. That would be unfair.
“Mr. Ablakwa and Mr. Kpebu, who are well-known for their media commentaries on such issues, should be particularly mindful of their new roles and responsibilities. The principle of natural justice demands that accused persons be given the chance to defend themselves.”
