Is the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) truly failing to bring former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to justice? The OSP is hitting back hard against accusations that they're dragging their feet on extraditing Ofori-Atta from the United States, providing a detailed account of their actions and raising serious concerns about leaked information. But here's where it gets controversial... the Deputy Attorney General has publicly stated otherwise, creating a clear conflict in narratives. Let's dive into what the OSP says is really happening.
In a strongly worded statement released on Monday, October 20, 2025, the OSP unequivocally refuted claims made by Deputy Attorney General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, who alleged the OSP hadn't responded to requests from the Attorney General's office concerning Ofori-Atta's extradition. The OSP insists these claims are false and misleading.
The statement emphasized the importance of setting the record straight, reaffirming the steps they've already taken, and, crucially, addressing security threats resulting from a recent leak of highly sensitive information. The OSP argues this leak jeopardizes ongoing investigations and the safety of its personnel. This leak is particularly concerning, as it suggests a potential breach of trust within the government itself.
According to the OSP, their investigation into Ken Ofori-Atta for corruption and corruption-related offenses began legitimately, utilizing the powers granted to them under the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959). The former minister was formally notified and summoned to appear before the OSP for questioning. But here's the rub: the OSP claims he failed to comply with these summonses.
The OSP maintains that Ofori-Atta's actions demonstrate a clear unwillingness to voluntarily return to Ghana to face the investigation. The statement pointedly notes that "Mr. Ofori-Atta, who left the jurisdiction in January 2025, has by his actions shown clearly that he is unwilling to voluntarily return to the jurisdiction to attend the OSP."
Further solidifying their case, the OSP revealed that intelligence indicates Ofori-Atta has been residing in the United States since January 2025. By the end of May 2025, they secured a judicial warrant for his arrest, declared him a fugitive from justice, and added him to their List of Wanted Persons. And this is the part most people miss... the OSP has been actively defending these actions in Ghanaian courts, successfully fending off attempts by Ofori-Atta's legal team to have his name removed from the wanted list. This demonstrates the OSP's commitment to pursuing the case despite legal challenges.
In early June 2025, the OSP successfully initiated the process of placing Ofori-Atta on the INTERPOL Red Notice, a crucial step in international extradition. They then formally requested his extradition through the Chief of Staff at the Presidency on June 2, 2025, seeking his provisional apprehension in any jurisdiction where he might be located. This is standard procedure when dealing with international fugitives. The OSP emphasizes that the request was routed through the Attorney General's office, as it serves as the Central Authority for such matters under the Mutual Legal Assistance arrangement. The Chief of Staff forwarded the OSP's request to the Attorney General on June 3, 2025. The Attorney General acknowledged receipt of the request on June 13, 2025.
The OSP responded to the Attorney General's office with a letter dated June 20, 2025, providing the names and contact details of their designated representatives for the extradition process. Regarding the request for a copy of the case docket, the OSP explained that they were actively compiling the various dockets related to the case.
The OSP reiterated its commitment to following due process under international legal and diplomatic frameworks to secure his extradition. They also stated that they identified the former minister as a suspect in several corruption-related cases in January 2025. These cases involve alleged irregularities in contracts with Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML), expenditures related to the National Cathedral project, and issues concerning health and tax refund operations. These are serious allegations that warrant a thorough investigation.
Ofori-Atta was initially declared a fugitive in February 2025 after allegedly ignoring repeated summonses from the OSP. His lawyers later requested his removal from the wanted list, promising his return. However, after he once again failed to appear before the OSP on the agreed date in June 2025, his fugitive status was reinstated, and the OSP announced its intention to pursue extradition and maintain the INTERPOL Red Notice.
Ten months after being initially declared a fugitive, Ken Ofori-Atta has yet to be arrested in the United States or voluntarily return to Ghana. This raises important questions about the effectiveness of the extradition process and the challenges of bringing individuals accused of corruption to justice. Could there be political interference slowing down the process? Or is the OSP facing legitimate legal hurdles in the US? What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below. This situation is far from resolved, and your perspective is crucial to understanding the complexities of this high-profile case.
