In a surprising turn of events, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has officially declared former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta no longer a fugitive of the law and justice. This follows the latter’s decision to turn himself in for questioning willingly.
The former Finance Minister was declared wanted by the OSP following its investigations into four high-profile cases in which Ken Ofori-Atta was a suspect.
These were the National Cathedral procurement scandal, the Strategic Mobilisation Limited contract, the ECG and Beijing Lao loss reduction contract and the Health Ministry’s contract with Service Ghana Auto Limited (Ambulance Deal).
Following his indefinite absence from the country since January 2nd and consequent failure to show up when he was needed for questioning by the OSP, Ken Ofori-Atta was thought of as evading justice and righteously pursued.
The OSP further released a wanted poster for circulation on its website, displaying a picture of Ken Ofori-Atta, the details of his crime and a call to action to anyone who had any information about his whereabouts.
After almost a week since he was officially declared wanted for his suspected involvement in the corruption and corruption-related cases, and for his seemingly intentional unavailability to aid the investigation, Ken Ofori Atta has reached out to cooperate.
According to the Special Prosecutor, Mr. Kissi Agyebeng, Ken Ofori-Atta has communicated through his lawyers a specific time when he would return to the country for his interview, and assist with the OSP’s investigations as due process demands.
“On 18 February 2025, Mr. Ofori-Atta transmitted a communication through his lawyers to the OSP by which he stated a definite date of his voluntary return to the jurisdiction. This marks a major shift from Mr. Ofori-Atta’s previous intention of remaining outside the jurisdiction indefinitely”
Office of the Special Prosecutor
The special OSP has, upon reviewing Ken Ofori-Atta’s request, withdrawn its interpretation of his absence from the jurisdiction and alongside, its declaration of him as a wanted fugitive.
In a detailed press release, the Special Prosecutor indicated that it deemed Ken Ofori-Atta’s stipulated time of return to the country “reasonable under the circumstances”, and has therefore decided to call off its manhunt for the former minister. He is officially no longer a wanted person nor a fugitive from justice.
It remains unclear to the general public when the exact date for the “voluntary return” of the suspect is. However, the OSP’s judgement of it as “reasonable” in its address, leads people to speculate that it will be soon.
Ken Ofori-Atta, who was seeking medical treatment abroad according to his lawyers, triggered his arrest warrant by flaunting the initial specified date and time he had been invited by the OSP for physical interviewing in Accra, and for failing to indicate a definite time period by which he would return to the country.
His arrest warrant drew controversial reactions from the public. Mainly, supporters of the NPP and people who believed the new Special Prosecutor was wrong for his manhunt, condemned the warrant in no uncertain terms.
Yet the rest of the public were strongly of the view that the former Finance Minister be made to answer for his role in all the cases brought against him, and if an arrest warrant was the way to get him to, then so be it.
It remains unclear what Ken Ofori-Atta’s drive to return was. Did the warrant prompt this action or is he simply returning to the country like he was always going to?
Aside from expunging his name from its list of wanted persons, the OSP has rescheduled the date of Ken Ofori-Atta’s attendance at the OSP, taking into account his expected date of voluntary return to the country.
The Clause
The OSP maintained that the current change to Ken Ofori Atta’s status is pending his actual return, and would effectively consider him a fugitive from justice again should he fail to hold up his end of the understanding established.
The permanence of the new status is now therefore hinged on the actions and conduct of the former Finance Minister.
“If Mr. Ofori-Atta fails to voluntarily return to the jurisdiction on his stated date, and if Mr. Ofori-Atta fails to attend the OSP on the rescheduled date, he shall be re-entered on the OSP’s list of wanted persons and the OSP shall then consider him a fugitive from justice, and the OSP shall take all necessary legal steps to secure his return to the jurisdiction and attendance at the OSP at our own choosing”
Office of the Special Prosecutor
Since Ken Ofori-Atta’s expected return date remains unknown to the public, it is anticipated that knowledge of his compliance or otherwise will be duly communicated by the OSP.
The OSP has assured its commitment to its mandate of ensuring accountability guided by due process and fairness.
