Accra: An Accra High Court has adjourned the criminal case involving former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML), and six others to July 30, 2026. The adjournment is to allow for decisions by the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court on matters that could impact the trial.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) informed the court that ongoing proceedings at the appellate courts might affect the conduct of the case. Mr. Ofori-Atta, SML, and the six other accused are facing 78 charges, including procurement breaches and causing financial loss to the State amounting to GHS1.4 billion.
When the case was called, a representative of the OSP noted that the High Court had previously declined an application for a stay of execution. This decision has been contested at the Court of Appeal. Additionally, the OSP mentioned that an application for certiorari had been filed at the Supreme Court by Mr. Noah Ephraim Adamtey, challenging the constitutionality of the prosecutorial authority of the OSP.
The prosecution stated that the outcomes of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal proceedings could have significant implications for the High Court case. Counsel for the accused requested an adjournment under Section 169 of Act 30, suggesting October 8, 2026, as the next hearing date, anticipating that the Supreme Court's decision might be delivered by then. However, the trial judge set the adjournment for July 30, 2026, awaiting the appellate courts' decisions.
The OSP filed the case and arraigned the accused on November 18, 2025. Besides Mr. Ofori-Atta and SML, the accused include Mr. Ernest Darko Akore, former Chief of Staff at the Ministry of Finance; Mr. Emmanuel Kofi Nti, former Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA); Mr. Amishaddai Owusu-Amoah, former Commissioner-General of the GRA; Mr. Isaac Crentsil and Mr. Kwadwo Damoah, both former Commissioners of the Customs Division of the GRA; and Mr. Evans Adusei, CEO of SML.
Charges against the accused encompass conspiracy to commit procurement fraud, causing financial loss to the State, use of public office for profit, willful oppression, and entering into an agreement imposing financial commitments on the Government beyond one financial year without prior parliamentary authorization. The accused have denied all charges and are currently on bail.