OSP Triggers INTERPOL Red Notice for Ken Ofori-Atta Over Corruption Probe – GhArticles.com
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has triggered the process for issuing an INTERPOL Red Notice for the former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, escalating its efforts to compel his appearance in Ghana to face corruption-related investigations.
At a press briefing on Monday, June 2, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng announced that approximately 30 minutes before the briefing, the necessary steps had been taken to locate and provisionally arrest Mr. Ofori-Atta internationally, pending extradition or voluntary surrender.
Mr. Ofori-Atta has been officially reinstated on the OSP’s list of wanted persons and declared a fugitive from justice following his failure to honour several invitations for questioning.
The former minister is being probed for alleged misconduct during his tenure, with investigations focusing on five key areas:
- Petroleum and Minerals Revenue Assurance: Scrutiny of contracts between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the GRA.
- Electricity Company Contract: Issues surrounding the termination of ECG’s deal with Beijing Xiao Cheng Technology (BXC).
- National Cathedral Project: Examination of procurement and financial transactions linked to the project.
- Ambulance Procurement: Irregularities in a Ministry of Health contract with Service Ghana Auto Group Limited.
- GRA Tax P-Fund: Mismanagement of funds from the Ghana Revenue Authority’s Tax P-Fund Account.
Timeline of Events
- January 2025: OSP notified Mr. Ofori-Atta of being a suspect and summoned him for questioning on February 10.
- 31 January: His legal team claimed he was abroad indefinitely for medical care.
- 5 February: OSP demanded a return date, stressing that legal representatives could not substitute for personal appearance.
- 10 February: A medical note was submitted, but lacked clear details or a return timeline.
- 12 February: Ofori-Atta was declared a fugitive; a warrant was issued.
- 18 February: He provided a definite return date, leading to temporary removal from the wanted list.
- March 2025: He filed a lawsuit against the OSP, seeking compensation and removal of social media declarations.
- 28 March: The Human Rights Court heard his interim application to prevent the OSP from re-declaring him wanted.
Despite his legal maneuvers, the OSP insists that Mr. Ofori-Atta must appear physically to respond to the charges. With the INTERPOL Red Notice initiated, the former minister now faces the risk of arrest and extradition from any jurisdiction in which he is found.