OSP declares Ken Ofori-Atta wanted

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has re-declared former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta a wanted man after he failed to appear in person for questioning on Monday, June 2, 2025.

The OSP says it has now initiated the process for INTERPOL to issue a Red Notice for his arrest and extradition.

Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng made the announcement at a press conference Monday evening, stating that the former minister’s continued absence and refusal to cooperate with investigations had exhausted the patience of the OSP.

The latest declaration marks a significant escalation in the standoff between the OSP and Ofori-Atta, who is under investigation for alleged corruption during his tenure as Finance Minister from 2017 to 2024.

The investigations center on contracts with Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML), financial dealings related to the National Cathedral, and other high-value transactions.

Ofori-Atta was first declared wanted in February 2025 after he failed to honour a summons for questioning. At the time, his lawyers cited medical reasons for his absence from the country and offered to represent him in his stead.

The OSP, however, rejected this arrangement and insisted on his physical presence.

On February 18, following assurances from Ofori-Atta’s legal team that he would return by June 2, the OSP agreed to remove him from its wanted list.

But with Monday’s deadline missed, the Special Prosecutor has now reinstated his wanted status.

“Mr. Ofori-Atta’s conduct is totally unacceptable,” Agyebeng said. “We declare him a wanted person and a fugitive from justice.”

The OSP has stated that the legal team’s offer to conduct a virtual interview in light of Ofori-Atta’s reported medical complications is not acceptable.

According to the OSP, the integrity and effectiveness of the investigation require his physical presence.

Earlier in the day, Ofori-Atta’s lawyer, Frank Davies, confirmed that his client could not attend the scheduled meeting due to an “unexpected deterioration” in his health.

He noted that a letter dated May 27 had been submitted to the OSP along with medical documentation. The letter also proposed a virtual interview, in line with the Electronic Transactions Act.

Nonetheless, the OSP has maintained a firm stance that only in-person appearances will suffice in a criminal investigation of this magnitude.

Meanwhile, Ofori-Atta has a pending suit at the Human Rights Court challenging the OSP’s initial declaration of him as wanted. He argues the move was unlawful and is seeking the removal of all related content from the OSP’s social media platforms. The court is expected to rule on the matter on June 18, 2025.

Chronology of Events:*

• Jan 24, 2025: Ofori-Atta was formally notified as a suspect and directed to appear on Feb 10.
• Jan 31, 2025: Lawyers cited indefinite medical leave abroad and requested to represent him.
• Feb 5, 2025: OSP demanded a firm return date and rejected the proposed legal substitution.
• Feb 10, 2025: A doctor’s note was submitted, citing tests and possible surgery in the U.S.
• Feb 12, 2025: OSP declared Ofori-Atta a fugitive.
• Feb 18, 2025: Name removed from wanted list after promise to appear on June 2.
• Mar 16, 2025: Ofori-Atta sued OSP for damages over the “wanted” designation.
• May 28, 2025: Court adjourned the case to June 18, 2025.
• June 2, 2025: Ofori-Atta failed to appear; OSP re-declared him wanted and launched INTERPOL Red Notice request.