The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, has revealed that his office has received official validation of key evidence needed to proceed with the extradition of former Finance Minister, Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta, who has been declared a fugitive from justice in connection with the concluded investigations into the Strategic Mobilization Limited (SML) scandal.
Speaking at a press briefing in Accra, Mr. Agyebeng said the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) had, since March 2025, gathered all relevant evidence required to prosecute the case, but was awaiting verification from international partners before formally triggering the extradition process.
The verified documents, he explained, arrived on Monday, marking a major milestone in what has been a months-long transnational investigation.
“As tradition matters, it would occur to you that the main suspect in respect of the concluded SML investigations is the former finance minister, Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta. We recall that in February, the OSP declared him a fugitive from justice and placed him on our list of wanted persons”.
Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng
He recounted how the OSP had been criticized for declaring Mr. Ofori-Atta wanted while he was reported to be unwell. However, the Special Prosecutor insisted that intelligence available to his office showed the former minister had deliberately refused to return to the country to face charges.
“Our intel told us, and we very well knew and kept insisting to Ghanaians, that he just did not want to come into the country voluntarily to answer to these charges”.
Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng
Mr. Agyebeng disclosed that despite public criticism, his office continued to pursue the matter with determination and strategic patience. “We did not relent, even in the face of the negativity. When we relaxed, placing him off the wanted list based on representations that he may show up, and he failed to do so, we placed him back,” he said.
According to him, by March 2025, the OSP had successfully compiled evidence sufficient to aid prosecution, but two technical processes remained outstanding — the official verification of intercepted communications and the forensic examination of computer servers and hard drives seized from two SML offices in Osu and Tema during searches conducted in June 2025.
“This work is not done overnight. It is for this reason that we informed the Attorney General when we kick-started the extradition process that the dockets had not been bound up yet because we were waiting for something. At the OSP, we do not talk lightly. We knew what we were waiting for, and we have them fully now.”
Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng
Foreign Validation
He revealed that the foreign validation packet, which confirmed the authenticity of digital evidence intercepted months earlier, arrived on Monday, providing the OSP the final clearance to advance with the extradition.
“We have uncovered all that is contained on the computer servers and the hard drives. And now, on Monday, with the gracious assistance of our major foreign partner, we have the validation of the evidence that we had way back in March”.
Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng
According to him, the OSP formally triggered the extradition request on June 2, 2025, through the Chief of Staff, paving the way for legal and diplomatic processes to bring the former minister back to Ghana to face prosecution.
Mr. Agyebeng also addressed recent criticism that his office had been delaying the case, describing such claims as “uninformed attacks” on a process that demands precision and international cooperation.
“We are once again drawing negative flak that the OSP that declared him wanted is stalling the case. But once again, as I said, we knew what we were doing and we knew what we were waiting for”.
Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng
He cited the Attorney General, Dr. Dominic Ayine’s earlier statement, that “financial investigations require time and patience,” urging the public to allow the OSP space to complete its meticulous work. “Give us that regard of time and patience — we will deliver the results we wanted,” he assured.
Mr. Agyebeng reaffirmed his office’s commitment to pursuing justice without haste but with absolute accuracy and legal integrity. He emphasised that the OSP would not compromise on procedure or evidence quality just to satisfy public pressure.
“We will not stall our own investigations. We will not delay our own investigations. We will do it right. We will be patient. We will be meticulous. We would have all the expertise in the world examine all because we only have one shot at these criminal cases”.
Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng
He disclosed that the OSP expects to file formal charges against all implicated persons before the expiration of November 2025, stressing that the institution’s work remains guided by precision and adherence to due process.
The OSP’s ongoing investigation into the SML scandal — which revolves around alleged financial improprieties in revenue assurance contracts — has drawn widespread public attention, particularly over the involvement of top government officials and corporate executives.
With the validation of evidence now secured and the extradition process initiated, the OSP appears poised to move the case into the prosecution phase, marking one of the most consequential anti-corruption actions in the country’s recent history.
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