OFORI-ATTA OFF OSP’S WANTED LIST AFTER PLEA TO RETURN

In what many call as dramatic development, former Finance Minister Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta has been removed from the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s (OSP) list of wanted persons.

According to a press release from the OSP on Tuesday February 18, Ofori-Atta’s lawyers transmitted a communication to the office, stating a definite date for his voluntary return to Ghana.

The OSP had previously declared Ofori-Atta a wanted person and a fugitive from justice on February 12, 2025, after he failed to indicate a reasonable time for his return to Ghana.

However, following Ofori-Atta’s communication, the OSP deemed his stated date of voluntary return reasonable and rescheduled the date of his attendance at the OSP.

“As a result, Mr. Ofori-Atta has been removed from the OSP’s list of wanted persons, and the OSP ceases to consider him a fugitive from justice pending his voluntary return,” the press release stated. The Special Prosecutor (SP), Kissi Agyebeng warned that if Ofori-Atta fails to voluntarily return to Ghana or attend the OSP on the rescheduled date, he will be re-entered on the OSP’s list of wanted persons, and the OSP will take all necessary legal steps to secure his return.

The OSP remains committed to its mandate of ensuring accountability guided by due process and fairness.

The development has sparked mixed reactions, with some calling for greater transparency in the investigation process.

“Finally, the former Finance Minister has pleaded with the OSP to drop the Wanted Notice, after giving a date he’d return to Ghana. We love the former Finance Minister for this kind gesture. OSP, ogbo ji bo. Wu y3 bu3” said in a Facebook post by the Founding President and CEO of IMANI, Mr. Franklin Cudjoe. The outcome of the investigation is expected to have significant implications for the country’s fight against corruption. Read full statements of the press release singed by the SP below:

“PRESS RELEASE

KENNETH NANA YAW OFORI-ATTA

On 12 February 2025, the Special Prosecutor declared Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta, a former Minister of Finance, a wanted person and a fugitive from justice on the ground that he had failed to indicate a reasonable time of his return to the jurisdiction – although he had been informed by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) that he was a suspect in various suspected corruption and corruption-related cases and he had been directed to physically attend the OSP in Accra on a specified date and at a specified time for interviewing.

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.

On 18 February 2025, the OSP acceded to Mr. Ofori-Atta’s request as it deemed his stated date of voluntary return to the jurisdiction reasonable in the circumstances. On 18 February 2025, the Special Prosecutor rescheduled the date of Mr. Ofori-Atta’s attendance at the OSP taking into account Mr. Ofori-Atta’s stated date of voluntary return to the jurisdiction.

Consequently, Mr. Ofori-Atta has been removed from the OSP’s list of wanted persons and the OSP ceases to consider Mr. Ofori-Atta a fugitive from justice pending his voluntary return to the jurisdiction circa his stated date. If Mr. Ofori-Atta fails to voluntarily return to the jurisdiction circa 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 OP 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.
The OSP is committed to its mandate of ensuring accountability guided by due process and fairness.”

Stay tuned for more updates on resetting Ghana agenda.

Michael Agbesi Kelly

Image Credit: Office of the Special Prosecutor – Ghana