Ken Ofori-Atta Sues OSP Over 'Unlawful' Wanted Declaration.
Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has taken legal action against the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and its head, Kissi Agyebeng, over what he describes as an unlawful declaration of him as a wanted person. According to Mr. Ofori-Atta’s legal team, the OSP exceeded its legal authority by publicly branding him a fugitive without following due process. The lawsuit, filed on March 13, 2025, argues that this declaration has caused significant harm to his personal reputation and infringed upon his rights. His lawyers contend that he was out of the country for medical treatment when the OSP attempted to summon him and had duly informed them of his situation.
In his legal petition, Mr. Ofori-Atta is requesting several remedies, including an order to remove his name from the OSP’s wanted list, compensation for damages suffered, and an injunction preventing the OSP from making similar declarations in the future. He also accuses Mr. Agyebeng of professional misconduct, arguing that the Special Prosecutor’s office did not engage with his legal representatives appropriately but rather addressed the matter through media briefings. This, according to him, further worsened the reputational damage caused by the OSP’s actions. His lawsuit aims to set a precedent on the limits of the Special Prosecutor’s authority and ensure that due process is followed in all legal matters.
The case has sparked widespread debate regarding the powers of the OSP and its methods of handling corruption-related investigations. While the Special Prosecutor maintains that Mr. Ofori-Atta ignored multiple invitations to assist in an ongoing probe, his defense insists that he never refused to cooperate but was simply unavailable due to medical reasons. The legal battle is expected to clarify the extent of the OSP’s mandate and the appropriate procedures for declaring individuals wanted, particularly high-profile figures. This development adds to the growing tensions between the former finance minister and the OSP, highlighting broader concerns about accountability and fairness in Ghana’s legal and political landscape.
