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OSP redeclares Ofori-Atta a fugitive for missing June 2 deadline
OSP redeclares Ofori-Atta a fugitive for missing June 2 deadline
By: Nii Ammui Fio | 3 mins read
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has once again designated former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta as a fugitive after he failed to honour a June 2 deadline to appear before the agency in connection with an ongoing corruption probe.
Mr. Ofori-Atta, who is being investigated for alleged financial malfeasance during his time in office, was expected to submit himself to the OSP on Monday.
However, his legal team informed the OSP and the Human Rights Court that his deteriorating health condition made travel impossible at this time. They also submitted medical documentation indicating that he is due to undergo surgery related to a cancer diagnosis later in June.
The OSP has, however, dismissed the request for a virtual engagement and responded with sharp criticism of both Mr. Ofori-Atta and his lawyers, describing their actions as lacking good faith.
"We will not countenance such conduct, not in this case or any other. The OSP has declined its invitation to view his biopsy report as we consider it a pointless exercise. This is because it is common learning that the biopsy report contains nothing more than a conclusion upon the removal and examination of tissue, cell or fluids from a living body that some disease was indicated in the sample taken. A biopsy report is not an expression of a reasoned medical that the subject of the report is an invalid and is unable to travel, as Mr Ofori-Atta seeks to suggest is his condition and for which reason he says he cannot return to the jurisdiction," the Special Prosecutor stated.
"Mr Ofori-Atta has failed to show any medical report which suggest that he is a travel risk and unable to return to the jurisdiction….. the OSP views Mr Ofori-Atta’s lawyers 28th May, 2025, as an expression of utter bad faith on the part of Mr Ofori-Atta….he has no intention of voluntarily returning to the jurisdiction and to attend the OSP."
According to Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng, Mr. Ofori-Atta had committed to appearing before the office, which led to the suspension of his wanted status earlier this year. The OSP now claims that the former minister failed to notify them of any changes to his medical schedule, despite allegedly doing so at the Human Rights Court.
"This office is unaware of his purported information to the court, whether orally or by file processes of the alleged change in his circumstance. We will no longer accommodate him. The OSP redeclares that Mr Ofori-Atta is a wanted person and fugitive from justice. His name is hereby recentered on the list of wanted persons. I triggered processes for the issuance of an Interpol Red Notice for the location and provisional arrest of Mr Ofori-Atta, including extradition or his surrender," Agyebeng said.
Mr. Ofori-Atta is under investigation for a series of transactions the OSP believes caused significant financial loss to the state. These include:
A contractual deal between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority aimed at revenue assurance in petroleum and mining sectors;
The termination of a distribution and network improvement contract between ECG and Beijing Xhao Chen Technology BXC;
Payments and procurement related to the National Cathedral project;
A vehicle supply and servicing contract with Ghana Auto Group Limited, initiated under the Ministry for Special Development Initiative for the National Ambulance Service;
Disbursement of funds from the Ghana Revenue Authority’s tax refund account.
In February, the OSP declared Mr. Ofori-Atta wanted, but he was later delisted after informing the agency through his lawyers that he was receiving treatment in the United States. He pledged to appear in June, a commitment that now appears to have been violated.
The former finance minister has denied wrongdoing and insists that he has been cooperating with authorities through his legal team. He has since filed a lawsuit challenging the OSP’s actions and seeking a legal injunction to prevent any further declarations against him while the case remains unresolved.
The Human Rights Court is scheduled to rule on his application on June 18.
