OSP declares Ofori-Atta wanted again
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has once again declared former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta a wanted person, effective Monday, June 2, 2025.
This comes after he failed to appear in person at the OSP’s headquarters as previously agreed.
The also follows the expiration of a grace period granted earlier this year, when Mr. Ofori-Atta was removed from the OSP’s wanted list after his legal team pledged that he would honour a scheduled appearance on June 2.
The former Minister was initially declared wanted in February 2025 for repeatedly ignoring summonses to respond to corruption allegations.
The investigations centre on multiple high-stakes financial matters, including contracts with Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML), the controversial National Cathedral project, and other fiscal dealings during his term as Finance Minister between 2017 and 2024.
According to sources close to Ofori-Atta’s legal team, including lead counsel Frank Davies, the former Minister could not appear due to an “unexpected deterioration” in his health.
READ ALSO: Ofori-Atta requests virtual engagement with OSP
Medical reports were submitted to both the OSP and the Human Rights Court, with a request to conduct the cautionary interview virtually, citing provisions under the Electronic Transactions Act.
However, the OSP has previously rejected similar requests, insisting on the suspect’s physical presence for effective interrogation.
The office maintains that personal attendance is crucial and that legal representatives cannot substitute for a suspect in criminal investigations.
With this latest development, the OSP said it is reinstating his “fugitive from justice” status and moving to initiate an INTERPOL Red Notice to secure his international arrest and extradition.
If the INTERPOL Red Notice is activated, he could be arrested in any of the organisation’s 196 member countries, significantly limiting his ability to travel internationally.
Meanwhile, Mr. Ofori-Atta is already challenging the OSP’s initial declaration in the Human Rights Court, arguing that it was unlawful and seeking an order to compel the OSP to remove the related notices from its public platforms.
A ruling on that matter is expected on June 18, 2025.