The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has announced that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta will be re-listed as a wanted person if he fails to appear for questioning on June 2, 2025.
According to the OSP, the decision to remove the former minister’s name from the wanted list was made in good faith following a request from him.
The OSP was responding to a legal action in which Ofori-Atta accused Kissi Agyebeng, the special prosecutor, of professional misconduct.
“Mr. Ofori-Atta formally requested the OSP to remove his name from the OSP’s list of wanted persons with the assurance to the OSP that he would make himself available for questioning on a definite date.
“The OSP, in good faith and on the basis of Mr. Ofori-Atta’s assurance, granted his request and removed his name from the OSP’s list of wanted persons pending his personal attendance at the OSP on the definite date.”
The statement added that Ofori-Atta is “mandatorily required to appear in person before the OSP on 2 June 2025.” It warned that failure to do so would result in his re-listing as a wanted person and being considered a fugitive from justice.
“If Mr. Ofori-Atta fails to attend the OSP on the scheduled date, he shall be re-entered on the OSP’s list of wanted persons and the OSP shall consider him a fugitive from justice; whereupon the OSP will cause the issuance of an Interpol Red Notice in his regard and also cause the initiation of extradition proceedings in any jurisdiction in which he may be found.”
“The OSP remains unwavering in its commitment to enforcing the law and ensuring that Mr. Ofori-Atta answers for his role as the prime suspect in five ongoing corruption and corruption-related investigations.”
Meanwhile Ofori-Atta is court praying that the OSP is prevented from declaring him wanted.
KOA wants the high court to declare that
- The OSP does not have the legal authority to use a media briefing to declare someone “WANTED” or a “fugitive from justice.”
- The OSP does not have the power to declare someone “wanted”—only the police can do this, and even they need court approval.
- When the OSP exercises police powers under the law, it must follow the same rules and limitations that apply to the police.
- Declaring him as “WANTED” or a “fugitive from justice” without following the law violates his right to personal freedom and his right to move freely, as guaranteed by the Constitution and international human rights laws.
- If the OSP, as a government agency, violates Ofori-Atta’s human rights, it is also breaking Ghana’s international treaty obligations under human rights agreements.
- The Special Prosecutor, as a lawyer, acted unprofessionally and unfairly by responding to Ofori-Atta’s lawyer through a media briefing instead of using proper legal communication.
- The OSP acted unfairly and unreasonably when it used a media briefing to change the contents of its letter to Ofori-Atta dated January 24, 2025.
- The OSP acted unfairly by keeping Ofori-Atta’s picture on its website as a “WANTED PERSON,” even though it had officially announced in a press release on February 18, 2025, that he was no longer wanted.
Further, KOA wants the Court to make the following ORDERS:
- The OSP must immediately remove Ofori-Atta’s picture and details from its “WANTED LIST” on its website.
- The OSP must pay compensation to Ofori-Atta for:
- Wrongfully declaring him “WANTED.”
- Publishing his name and photo on its website as a “WANTED PERSON.”
- Keeping his details on the website as “WANTED” even after announcing that he was no longer wanted.
- The OSP must respond in writing to all outstanding letters from Ofori-Atta’s lawyer, as required by law.
- The OSP must list any documents it needs from Ofori-Atta for its investigations and send this list to his lawyers so they can provide them.
- The OSP is prohibited from re-declaring Ofori-Atta as a “WANTED PERSON” or a “fugitive from justice” as it had previously threatened in its press release on February 18, 2025.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
