Mahama considers outsourcing some ORAL cases to private lawyers to speed up trials
President John Dramani Mahama has hinted that government is considering outsourcing some of the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) cases to private firms to speed up the process of prosecution.
The move comes amid increasing public criticism about the effectiveness and speed of the anti-corruption campaign being led by ORAL, particularly following pre-election promises of swift and decisive prosecutions.
Speaking during a meeting with Civil Society Organisations at the Jubilee House on Monday, March 30, 2026, President Mahama disclosed that the government is considering engaging private law firms to assist in preparing case dockets related to ongoing investigations.
According to the President, this approach is expected to accelerate the legal process and ensure that cases are brought before the courts more quickly.
He emphasized that once matters are filed in court, it is solely the responsibility of judges to determine the guilt or innocence of accused persons.
President Mahama further explained that aside from the 32 cases identified by the ORAL Committee during its investigations, additional cases have since emerged. These new developments, he noted, may require the state to seek external legal support to help fast-track prosecutions.
He added that ongoing audits have uncovered issues that were previously unknown, leading to more potential cases. While some of the initial cases are already before the courts, others are still being prepared for prosecution.
The President reiterated that although the government is working to strengthen investigations and case preparation, the final decision in all cases rests with the judiciary, stressing that justice ultimately lies in the hands of the judges.
