Former minister Ken Ofori-Atta and Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng
The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, on February 12, 2025, declared former Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta a fugitive, who is wanted for corruption and corruption-related offences.
Kissi Agyebeng, at a press conference in Accra, explained that he had to declare Ofori-Atta, who is currently outside Ghana, a fugitive because his actions showed that he never intended to return to the country to present himself to investigators of his office after several invitations.
Details of correspondence between the lawyers of the former Minister of Finance and the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) have now emerged.
The content of a letter from Ofori-Atta’s lawyers to the OSP, shared by 3news.com, shows that the former minister told the Special Prosecutor’s office he could not present himself in person because he was out of the country.
“We write as Solicitors for Kenneth Ofori-Atta in respect of the above subject and refer to your letter dated 24th January 2025. We are informed by our client that a letter dated the 24th day of January 2025 was left at our client’s security post for his attention. Our client had been out of the country and therefore not in his home in Ghana at the time.
“The said letter has been brought to our attention on the instructions of our client, who is still out of Ghana. The said letter is inviting our client to attend in person at your offices on Monday, 10th February 2025, at 10 a.m.,” part of the letter is quoted.
The lawyers also indicated that Ofori-Atta was out of the country to seek medical attention, after which he could determine when he would be returning to Ghana.
It added that the former minister did inform the former Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, and the current Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, of his medical travel.
“Our client gave notice to the former Chief of Staff in early January and, more recently, to the current Chief of Staff of his trip outside the country on medical grounds. Our client is currently undergoing medical observation and tests, culminating in medical decisions to be taken in due course as to the way forward with treatment. After that, he will have a better idea of when he is able to proceed to Ghana,” the statement reads.
The lawyers then wrote that they would inform the OSP when he would be returning to the country so they could schedule a meeting.
“We are therefore humbly bringing to your attention that we shall give you notice of his arrival in the country so as to reschedule your invitation to him for the purposes as stated in the heading of your letter under reference.”
They concluded the letter by saying that they would be assisting the OSP with its investigation until Ofori-Atta returns.
“We are, however, able and willing to provide you with any information you may require to aid in your investigations until our client is back in the country for any in-person investigations outlined in the said letter.”
At the press conference on Wednesday, the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, said the medical excuse given by the lawyers was just to ensure that he did not return to the country.
“The OSP is unconvinced that the purported medical letter transmitted by Mr. Ofori-Atta through his lawyers to the OSP represents a medical report to the effect that Mr. Ofori-Atta is incapacitated or is so sickly an invalid to the extent that he is physically unable to return to the jurisdiction without imperilling his life.
“No serious law enforcement agency would be convinced that the purported medical letter estops it from demanding the physical appearance of Mr. Ofori-Atta before it in the described circumstances. And certainly not the OSP. We are of the firm conviction that it is only a ruse employed by Mr. Ofori-Atta in aid of his intention to avoid his return to the jurisdiction and to personally answer questions in respect of the investigations,” he said.
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