‘We want Ofori-Atta physically’ – OSP rejects virtual session request

The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, has firmly rejected a request by former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to participate in investigations via video conferencing, insisting that the former minister must present himself physically to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

Addressing journalists on Monday, June 2, Mr. Agyebeng dismissed the request as inappropriate and out of step with the seriousness of the ongoing corruption probe.

“This office has always requested his attendance, and we have indicated clearly to him that we are unwilling to waive it. If we were amenable to taking any statement from Ken Ofori-Atta in absentia, we would have done so in February, and not waited till June 2, 2025.

“We want him here physically, and we insist on it. A suspect in a criminal investigation does not pick and choose how the investigative body conducts its investigations and the methods suitable to him and his convenience. We will not countenance this conduct, not in this case.”

This comes amid a deepening standoff between the OSP and Mr. Ofori-Atta, who has repeatedly failed to honour summons over corruption allegations. Kissi Agyebeng revealed that his office had triggered processes for the issuance of an INTERPOL red notice and formally requested extradition to secure Ofori-Atta’s arrest and return to Ghana.

The former minister was previously removed from the OSP’s wanted list following a temporary agreement but has since been declared a fugitive again after failing to appear before investigators by the June 2 deadline.

Key Issues Under Investigation

1. Petroleum and Minerals Revenue Assurance
   – Contractual arrangements between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

2. Electricity Company Contract Termination
   – Termination of a contract between the Electricity Company of Ghana and Beijing Xiao Cheng Technology (BXC).

3. National Cathedral Project
   – Procurement procedures and financial transactions related to the National Cathedral.

4. Ambulance Procurement
   – A Ministry of Health contract with Service Ghana Auto Group Limited for the purchase and maintenance of 307 ambulances.

5. GRA Tax P-Fund Management
   – Handling and disbursement of funds from the Tax P-Fund Account of the GRA.

Timeline of Events

• January 2025
  The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) officially notified Mr. Ofori-Atta that he was a suspect in five separate cases and requested his appearance on 10 February 2025.

• 31 January 2025
  His lawyers informed the OSP that he was abroad indefinitely for medical reasons and offered to represent him in his absence.

• 5 February 2025
  The OSP rejected the claim of indefinite absence and demanded a firm return date by 10 February 2025, warning of legal consequences. It also reminded that legal representatives cannot respond to criminal charges on behalf of clients.

• 10 February 2025
  His lawyers submitted a doctor’s note (not addressed to any specific party), indicating he was undergoing tests and possibly surgery, with no clear return date.

• 12 February 2025
  With no further cooperation, the OSP declared Mr. Ofori-Atta a fugitive from justice, acting on an arrest warrant.

• 18 February 2025
  Mr. Ofori-Atta appealed to the OSP for removal from the ‘Wanted List’ and, for the first time, provided a definite return date in May 2025. The OSP accepted this assurance and removed his name from the list.

Legal Challenge

• March 2025
  Mr. Ofori-Atta filed a lawsuit against the OSP and the Special Prosecutor, seeking compensation for what he described as an unlawful declaration of him as wanted. He also requested the removal of related content from the OSP’s social media platforms.

• 28 March 2025
  The Human Rights Court heard an interim application from Mr. Ofori-Atta, asking the court to restrain the OSP from declaring him wanted again.

Ken Ofori-Atta declared wanted again by OSP