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Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has once again been listed as a wanted person by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) after he did not show up in person as instructed.
Following what it describes as repeated delays and disobedience with existing criminal procedures against Mr. Ofori-Atta, the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, issued a harsh notice on Monday, June 2, stating that its patience with him had run out.
“This office has always requested his attendance, and we have indicated clearly to him that we are unwilling to waive it. If we were amenable to taking any statement from Ken Ofori-Atta in absentia, we would have done so in February, and not waited till June 2, 2025.
“We want him here physically, and we insist on it. A suspect in a criminal investigation does not pick and choose how the investigative body conducts its investigations and the methods suitable to him and his convenience. We will not countenance this conduct, not in this case.”
This comes after Mr. Ofori-Atta allegedly asked for a virtual session, stating that he needed one for medical reasons. His legal team had previously provided the OSP and the Human Rights Court with documents stating that he was unable to travel because he was receiving treatment overseas.
But according to the OSP, Mr. Ofori-Atta needs to show up in person to answer questions on ongoing investigations into alleged financial crimes, including as money laundering and state financial loss.
The declaration allows for additional international enforcement proceedings, such as a potential INTERPOL Red Notice, and puts Mr. Ofori-Atta back on the wanted persons list.
Because of his “significant cooperation” with the anti-graft organization, officials had already removed Ofori-Atta from the OSP’s wanted list.
But with the deadline elapses, that status suddenly seems uncertain.
This development intensifies a well-known case that has captured the public’s interest.
The OSP has extensive authority to look into and prosecute crimes involving public officials as part of its mission to fight corruption in Ghana.
The former minister would be under tremendous international pressure if an INTERPOL Red Notice were issued, which is a worldwide notice to find and apprehend someone who is wanted for prosecution or to serve a sentence.
All 196 INTERPOL member nations would get such a notification, severely limiting his ability to travel abroad and perhaps resulting in his arrest in any jurisdiction.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
