Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is facing mounting legal pressure as the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has issued a final directive for him to appear in person at its headquarters on Monday, June 2, 2025 — or risk being declared a fugitive and subjected to an international arrest warrant.
The OSP warned in a statement on Sunday that failure to comply will result in his immediate reinstatement on the national wanted list and the initiation of an INTERPOL Red Notice, which could lead to his arrest and extradition from anywhere in the world.
This ultimatum follows months of back-and-forth between Mr. Ofori-Atta and the OSP, stemming from multiple investigations into alleged corruption and abuse of office during his tenure. Although the former minister was previously removed from the OSP’s wanted list after pledging cooperation and indicating a return date from a medical stay abroad, his recent silence has reignited tensions.
The Core Investigations:
Mr. Ofori-Atta is a central figure in five separate high-profile corruption probes, including:
- Revenue assurance contracts between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd and the Ghana Revenue Authority.
- The controversial termination of a contract between ECG and Beijing Xiao Cheng Technology (BXC).
- Procurement concerns tied to the National Cathedral project.
- The Ministry of Health’s ambulance procurement deal with Service Ghana Auto Group Ltd.
- Management of the GRA’s Tax P-Fund Account.
Chronology of Events:
Beginning in January 2025, the OSP named Mr. Ofori-Atta a suspect and requested his appearance. His legal team responded by citing an indefinite medical trip abroad, prompting skepticism from the OSP. When no firm return date was provided, he was declared a fugitive on February 12.
Following an appeal in mid-February and a promised return date in May, the OSP removed him from the wanted list. However, after failing to appear by the expected timeline — and in the wake of his March lawsuit against the OSP for reputational damage — the Special Prosecutor is now drawing a hard line.
Legal and Political Implications:
With the June 2 deadline looming, legal observers say this case could redefine the limits of prosecutorial power in Ghana and test the state’s ability to enforce accountability among high-profile public officials.
If Mr. Ofori-Atta fails to comply, the OSP is poised to trigger global law enforcement mechanisms, escalating the matter from a national probe to an international legal pursuit.
Whether this high-stakes standoff results in cooperation or confrontation remains to be seen.
