Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has filed a lawsuit against Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng and the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) over his "unlawful" wanted declaration. The lawsuit, filed on March 13, 2025, at the Accra High Court, seeks compensation and a declaration that the OSP's actions violated his fundamental human rights.
At the center of the controversy is the OSP's decision to publicly declare Ofori-Atta a fugitive from justice on February 12, 2025. The anti-graft body justified this move by stating that the former minister had failed to honor invitations for questioning in relation to ongoing corruption investigations. However, Ofori-Atta's lawyers argue that the declaration was both unfair and capricious, as their client was dealing with serious health challenges, including preparations for a major medical procedure, and had formally communicated his unavailability to the OSP.
Despite the OSP's subsequent removal of Ofori-Atta's name from the wanted list on February 18, 2025, following assurances of his return to Ghana, his legal representatives are dissatisfied. They contend that the initial declaration has caused irreparable reputational harm and stress, especially as his details reportedly remain on the OSP's website as a wanted person.
The lawsuit is expected to test the limits of the Special Prosecutor's authority in publicly labeling individuals as fugitives, especially in the face of ongoing health issues. Ofori-Atta is asking the court to rule that the Special Prosecutor's conduct breached his rights to dignity, fair treatment, and administrative justice. He is also demanding compensation for the damages caused by the OSP's announcement.
The case has sparked intense interest and debate, with many Ghanaians following the developments closely. As the court deliberates on the matter, one thing is clear: the outcome will have significant implications for the role of the Special Prosecutor and the rights of individuals in Ghana.
In the meantime, Ofori-Atta is expected to return to Ghana in May 2025, where he will cooperate with the ongoing investigation into the corruption allegations against him. The former finance minister is implicated in several high-profile corruption cases, including the SML scandal, National Cathedral scandal, and the Ambulance Rehabilitation scandal ². As the investigation unfolds, Ghanaians will be watching closely to see how the case against Ofori-Atta progresses.
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