OSP Issues Final Warning to Ken Ofori-Atta: Appear in Person or Face International Arrest
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has issued a strong warning to Ghana’s former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta to appear in person at its headquarters on Monday, June 2, 2025. In a statement released on Sunday, June 1, the OSP cautioned that failure to comply with the directive will lead to serious legal consequences, including international arrest efforts.
According to the OSP if Mr. Ofori-Atta does not honour the summons:
• His name will be reinstated on the OSP’s list of wanted persons.
• He will be officially declared a fugitive from justice.
• The OSP will initiate a process to issue an INTERPOL Red Notice, which could lead to his arrest and extradition from any country he is residing in.
This latest development is part of the OSP’s ongoing investigations into alleged corruption and abuse of office during Mr. Ofori-Atta’s tenure as Finance Minister.
The former minister is being investigated in connection with five major cases, including:
1. Petroleum and Minerals Revenue Assurance Contractual dealings involving Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
2. Electricity Company Contract Termination The cancellation of a contract between the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and Beijing Xiao Cheng Technology (BXC).
3. National Cathedral Project – Concerns over procurement processes and financial transactions.
4. Ambulance Procurement – The Ministry of Health’s deal with Service Ghana Auto Group Limited for the purchase and servicing of 307 ambulances.
5. GRA Tax P-Fund Management – Issues related to the handling and disbursement of Tax P-Fund Account funds by the GRA.
• January 2025: The OSP formally notified Mr. Ofori-Atta that he was a suspect and requested his appearance on February 10.
• January 31, 2025: His lawyers informed the OSP that he was abroad for medical reasons and could not return soon.
• February 5, 2025: The OSP rejected the open-ended absence, demanded a return date, and reminded his legal team that lawyers cannot answer criminal charges on behalf of clients.
• February 10, 2025: A doctor’s note was submitted, but it lacked specifics and failed to mention a return date.
• February 12, 2025: Mr. Ofori-Atta was declared a fugitive, and an arrest warrant was activated.
• February 18, 2025: He appealed to the OSP and provided a specific return date in May. The OSP removed him from the wanted list based on that commitment.
In March 2025, Mr. Ofori-Atta filed a lawsuit against the OSP and the Special Prosecutor, seeking:
• Compensation for being wrongfully declared wanted.
• An order to remove related content from the OSP’s social media accounts.
On March 28, 2025, the Human Rights Court heard an interim application from his lawyers to prevent the OSP from re-declaring him wanted.
The next crucial date is Monday, June 2, 2025, when Mr. Ofori-Atta is expected to appear in person at the OSP office. If he fails to do so:
• His name will be restored to the wanted list.
• He will once again be labelled a fugitive from justice.
• The OSP will take steps to issue an INTERPOL Red Notice, opening the door to global law enforcement cooperation for his arrest.
This case continues to attract public and legal attention, given Mr. Ofori-Atta’s former role as a top government official and the scale of the investigations involved. The coming days will determine whether the former finance minister will cooperate or face international consequences.