The Director of Strategy, Research, and Communications at the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), Sammy Darko, has dismissed claims of tension between the OSP and the Attorney-General’s (AG) Department over the ongoing case involving former Finance Minister Mr. Kenneth Ofori-Atta.
He clarified that there is no institutional conflict or mistrust, stressing that the perceived delay is purely due to the OSP’s ongoing work to complete a comprehensive and evidence-backed case docket.
“The issue at hand is primarily one of timing. The OSP is nearing completion of its work on some of the cases involving Mr. Kenneth Ofori-Atta and will, in due course, submit the necessary information required to complete the extradition process to the AG.”
Sammy Darko, The Director of Strategy, Research, and Communications at the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP)
According to him, the OSP has been working diligently to finalize its investigations into corruption-related allegations involving Mr. Ofori-Atta and other individuals. He said the office intends to file charges in several related cases once the ongoing review and analysis of the evidence are complete.
“It is understandable that the Attorney-General may be under public pressure, particularly regarding progress on the ORAL matter, and that there is widespread interest in seeing Mr. Ofori-Atta brought to trial.
“However, just as the AG has often reminded the public, especially supporters of the NDC, that investigations and prosecutions take time, the same understanding should be extended to the OSP.”
Sammy Darko, The Director of Strategy, Research, and Communications at the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP)
Mr. Darko underscored that the OSP operates as an independent prosecutorial body with investigative powers and a specific mandate to pursue corruption and corruption-related offenses.
He emphasized that the Office has remained focused on completing its mandate within the confines of the law, ensuring that its work meets the highest standards of integrity and due process.
“I am aware that the Special Prosecutor is expected to complete and transmit the necessary information to the AG this week to facilitate the extradition process. The process is ongoing and nearing completion, not delayed or obstructed as some may assume.”
Sammy Darko, The Director of Strategy, Research, and Communications at the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP)
However, Mr. Darko expressed concern about what he described as the “partial leakage of information” regarding the case, warning that it could endanger officers of the OSP and distort public perception of the integrity of the process.
“What is of concern, however, is the partial leakage of information, which poses potential risks to OSP officers mentioned in the report and may create unfounded perceptions of political bias or interference in the ongoing extradition proceedings.
“Certainly, the leak could not have originated from the OSP. The Office would never compromise the safety of its officers or jeopardize a case it has pursued diligently since February.”
Sammy Darko, The Director of Strategy, Research, and Communications at the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP)
He reminded the public that the OSP had, from the outset, taken a methodical approach to its investigations into Mr. Ofori-Atta’s dealings, despite intense public criticism and political pressure.
“We were ridiculed for stating that we could not place Mr. Ofori-Atta on an Interpol Red Notice without following proper procedure, and some accused us of being inconsiderate when we maintained that he was unwilling to return voluntarily. But our approach has always been guided by legality and prudence.”
Sammy Darko, The Director of Strategy, Research, and Communications at the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP)
Outlining a timeline of official correspondence, Mr. Darko clarified the sequence of communication between the OSP, the Attorney-General, and other state authorities in relation to the extradition request.
He stated that on June 2, the OSP wrote to the political authority to seek the government’s position on the extradition matter. The following day, June 3, the Chief of Staff responded by writing to the Attorney-General, directing cooperation with the OSP’s request to initiate the extradition process of Mr. Ofori-Atta.
Subsequently, on June 13, the Attorney-General wrote to the OSP, requesting the names of the OSP officers designated to handle the extradition, as well as a copy of the case docket.
The OSP responded on June 20, providing the requested names and explaining that it was still finalizing the case files. According to Mr. Darko, the OSP informed the AG that it had conducted searches and seized computers, servers, and documents from Strategic Mobilization Ghana Limited (SML).
These materials, he said, were undergoing analysis for evidential value and would form part of the final investigative report.
He added that in September, the AG wrote once again to the OSP requesting an update on progress and inquiring whether a preliminary report could be shared in the interim.
“This is the letter which was not leaked. I don’t know why,” Mr. Darko noted, expressing concern over why certain documents were selectively leaked to the media.
“This particular correspondence was never leaked. As previously stated, the OSP is finalizing the investigative report and will soon transmit it to the AG,” he said, stressing that the gap between September and October was not a sign of inaction but a period of final analysis and compilation.
“Therefore, it is between September and October that there has been a brief gap—one the OSP is currently working to fill by completing and transmitting the final investigative report to the Attorney-General. That is not a delay or unwillingness. It’s finishing the work.”
Sammy Darko, The Director of Strategy, Research, and Communications at the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP)
Mr. Darko’s remarks appear aimed at calming speculation over strained relations between the OSP and the AG’s Department, which has intensified amid growing public interest in the fate of Mr. Ofori-Atta’s case.
His assurance that the two offices remain aligned and cooperative suggests that the extradition process could soon move forward once the final report reaches the AG.
READ ALSO: Ghana Inches Closer to $380 Million IMF Disbursement as Board Review Looms in December
