Martin Kpebu Says ORAL Did Not Agree On $21.19bn State Asset Recovery Estimate

Story By: Deborah Adorsu

A former member of the Operation Recover All Loot, ORAL, Committee, Martin Kpebu, has disputed claims that government could recover up to $21.19 billion from stolen state assets.

Mr Kpebu said the figure announced by North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who chaired the committee, was his personal assessment and had not been collectively established or agreed upon by members of the ORAL Committee.

Mr Kpebu maintained the committee had not conducted an assessment to establish the potential recovery figure.

Mr Kpebu’s comments follow Mr Ablakwa’s revelation in February 2025 that government could potentially recover $21.19 billion after reviewing 36 major cases involving high-value transactions and alleged losses of state assets through land-related dealings.

Mr Ablakwa said the estimated amount could exceed the financial support Ghana had been seeking from the International Monetary Fund, IMF.

The ORAL Committee, which was chaired by Mr Ablakwa, included former Auditor-General Daniel Domelevo, retired Commissioner of Police Nathaniel Kofi Boakye, private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu, and investigative journalist Raymond Archer.

The committee submitted its report to President John Mahama in February 2025, with estimated financial recoveries from reviewed cases put at $20.49 billion and estimated recovery from looted lands at $702.8 million, bringing total potential recoveries to $21.19 billion.