GHANA’S Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, has declared former finance finister Ken Ofori-Atta a wanted person and a fugitive from justice after he failed to honour a scheduled appearance at the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) on Monday, June 2.
The OSP has now triggered an Interpol red notice and initiated extradition proceedings in any jurisdiction where Ofori-Atta may be found. The move follows months of communication between the former minister’s legal team and the OSP over his refusal to present himself in person for a caution statement in connection with ongoing corruption investigations.
Ofori-Atta fails to show
According to Agyebeng, the OSP had agreed in good faith to remove Ofori-Atta’s name from its list of wanted persons in February 2025 after his lawyers claimed he was out of the country indefinitely due to medical reasons. The OSP granted him a recovery period and rescheduled his personal appearance to June 2.
‘We have been more than indulgent. But he failed to show up. This indulgence ends today,’ said Agyebeng at the press briefing. ‘We insist on his physical presence. This is a criminal matter, and he does not get to dictate terms.’
The OSP said Ofori-Atta had not submitted any valid medical report showing he was unfit to travel. Instead, his team sent a vague biopsy report and offered to do a video-recorded interview from abroad—an option the OSP flatly rejected.
Corruption trail at the NPA
In the same briefing, the OSP disclosed the preliminary findings of a major corruption investigation involving officials of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA). The investigation, which began in November 2024, uncovered a sprawling scheme by high-ranking NPA officials to use regulatory powers for personal profit through threats, intimidation, bribery, and coercion.
So far, the OSP has traced over GHS 280 million ($18,288,700.20) in proceeds, allegedly used to acquire real estate, fuel haulage trucks, and to establish competing oil marketing companies. Some of these assets were even located outside Ghana.
‘The perpetrators used their oversight powers not to regulate, but to enrich themselves. We intend to prosecute,’ said Agyebeng, adding that criminal charges will be filed against the first batch of suspects and companies before the end of June.
When pressed by journalists about former NPA CEO Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid’s role in the matter, the Special Prosecutor declined to confirm whether he is implicated but said all involved parties will be named after court filings.
Trial in absentia possible
The OSP indicated it is prepared to proceed with prosecution whether or not Ofori-Atta returns voluntarily. ‘We’ll prefer criminal charges whether in absentia or otherwise. But justice must take its course,’ Agyebeng stated.
He added: ‘We are not running a parallel court. We’re exercising our statutory mandate to investigate and prosecute. No one—regardless of status—is beyond reach.’
The Special Prosecutor also defended the office’s refusal to accept virtual interviews, saying, ‘This is not a civil deposition. It is a criminal process that requires personal accountability.’
A test for Ghana’s justice system
The case has polarised public opinion and sparked debate about the independence of Ghana’s anti-graft institutions. Ofori-Atta is currently pursuing a human rights case against the OSP, alleging unfair treatment.
But Agyebeng was unequivocal: ‘We investigated a former president who complied. There’s nothing special about Ken Ofori-Atta. He must face the law.’
Credit: Africabriefing
