The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has once again declared former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta a wanted person, effective today, June 2, 2025. This decisive action follows his failure to appear in person at the OSP’s headquarters by the stipulated deadline, violating an earlier agreement that saw his temporary removal from the wanted list.
The OSP had initially declared Mr. Ofori-Atta a “fugitive from justice” in February 2025, citing his repeated non-compliance with summons for questioning regarding multiple corruption allegations. These probes include his involvement in contracts with Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) for revenue assurance, issues surrounding the National Cathedral project, and other financial dealings during his tenure as Finance Minister from 2017 to 2024.
His name was removed from the wanted list on February 18, 2025, after his legal team provided a definite date for his voluntary return and appearance before the OSP – specifically, today, June 2, 2025. At the time, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng sternly warned that failure to honor this commitment would result in his immediate reinstatement on the wanted list and the initiation of processes for an INTERPOL Red Notice, aiming to secure his international arrest and extradition.
As of late Monday, June 2, Ofori-Atta had not presented himself to the OSP. Sources close to the former minister’s legal team, including Frank Davies, confirmed earlier today that he would not be able to appear due to an “unexpected deterioration in his health condition.” His lawyers reportedly communicated this development to the OSP and the Human Rights Court, providing accompanying medical reports. They also suggested that he was willing to participate in a virtual interview to provide his cautioned statement, leveraging provisions under the Electronic Transactions Act.
However, the OSP had previously rejected similar medical excuses in February, insisting on his physical presence for an effective investigation. The Special Prosecutor’s office has consistently maintained that legal representation cannot substitute for a suspect’s personal attendance in criminal investigations.
The immediate implication of this re-declaration is severe. Mr. Ofori-Atta now faces the full force of the OSP’s mandate, which includes pursuing his return to Ghana by all lawful means. The threat of an INTERPOL Red Notice means he could be arrested in any of INTERPOL’s 196 member countries, significantly curtailing his international movement.
This development adds another complex layer to the ongoing legal battle between the OSP and the former Finance Minister. Mr. Ofori-Atta has a pending suit at the Human Rights Court challenging the OSP’s initial declaration of him as wanted, arguing its unlawfulness and seeking the removal of related content from the OSP’s social media platforms. The Human Rights Court has scheduled a ruling on this matter for June 18, 2025, further complicating the legal landscape.
The OSP’s latest move underscores its unwavering commitment to ensuring that no individual, regardless of their past position, is above the law when it comes to investigations into corruption and corruption-related offenses. The nation now watches closely to see the next steps in this high-profile case.
Source: myjoyonline
