‘We’re Validating, Not Investigating’ – Domelevo Clarifies ORAL Committee’s Role

Daniel Yao Domelevo, a member of the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) Committee, has clarified that the committee’s mission is focused on validating claims rather than conducting investigations.

In an interview, the former Auditor General explained that the committee’s primary responsibility is to verify claims related to state land and property issues to ensure accurate reporting to President John Mahama.

“What we are doing is essentially a validation mission,” Domelevo said.

“We cannot simply take claims, such as those from the Lomotey/Adotey family regarding their demolished property, and include them in our report without verifying. If we don’t have evidence, the presidency might question our findings.”

This clarification followed the ORAL team’s visit to the North Labone site, where the Lomotey/Adotey family’s property was unlawfully demolished in 2024. During the visit, a family representative shared their traumatic experience, detailing the loss of their home, destruction of valuables, and ongoing challenges in seeking justice.

Despite a letter from the Lands Commission acknowledging that the land had been mistakenly allocated to a politically connected group responsible for the demolition, the family has not received compensation or adequate security assurances. They continue to spend significant amounts on private security to protect the site.

Domelevo emphasized the difference between validation and investigation.

“Validation is simply confirming what exists on the ground. If we were conducting an investigation, we would be questioning all parties involved and seeking answers. For now, we are gathering data to ensure accuracy in our reports,” he explained.

When asked about potential wrongdoing, Domelevo made it clear that the committee was not accusing anyone.

“We are not accusing anyone. Before establishing guilt, there needs to be an investigation. My background as an auditor reminds me that preliminary findings can change when confronted with new evidence. Our job is not to accuse, but to verify,” he said.

Domelevo also addressed the confusion between the ORAL Committee’s validation efforts and the investigative actions of other entities, such as national security.

“People often confuse our role with that of national security,” he said. “When national security is involved, their actions may go beyond validation, but we have no control over their operations.”

The ORAL team assured the Lomotey/Adotey family that their case would be included in a comprehensive report to President Mahama, highlighting their loss and advocating for a resolution.

Domelevo’s comments reinforced the committee’s commitment to thorough validation and factual reporting, which could serve as the foundation for future investigations or corrective actions regarding state properties and land disputes.