Accra: One year since Ken Ofori-Atta, former Minister of Finance, was expected to appear before the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), the legal proceedings concerning allegations of graft during his tenure continue to unfold. Ofori-Atta was summoned to answer five significant allegations related to his time under the Akufo-Addo administration.
According to Ghana Web, the OSP had initially directed Ofori-Atta to appear in person on February 10, 2025, after notifying him of his status as a suspect in five separate cases. However, Ofori-Atta remained in the United States due to health complications, with his legal team offering to represent him in his absence. Despite this, the OSP insisted on his physical presence, and when he failed to appear by the June 2, 2025 deadline, he was declared a fugitive, prompting the initiation of extradition proceedings.
The allegations against Ofori-Atta include scrutiny of revenue assurance contracts, the National Cathedral Project, ambulance procurement, termination of an electricity company contract, and management of the GRA Tax P-Fund. Each case involves significant financial and procedural inquiries.
As reported by citinewsroom.com, Ofori-Atta's legal team has communicated with the Human Rights Court and the OSP, providing medical documentation and requesting a removal of previous statements about him from OSP's social media accounts. The legal team has also filed a motion to prevent the OSP from declaring him wanted, with a court ruling expected on June 18, 2025.
The OSP acknowledged these legal proceedings in a statement on its official X account, noting the adjournment of the case to the specified date. Meanwhile, Ofori-Atta has shown willingness to participate in the investigation remotely, as allowed by the Electronic Transactions Act.