"Court Dismisses Ofori-Atta\u2019s Bid to Block \u2018Wanted\u2019 Notice by OSP"

Court Dismisses Ofori-Atta’s Bid to Block ‘Wanted’ Notice by OSP

The Human Rights Court has dismissed an application by former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta that sought to restrain the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) from issuing a public “wanted” notice, a ruling that reinforces the prosecutorial powers of the anti-corruption agency amid high-stakes investigations into alleged financial misconduct.

The former minister, who served as Ghana’s longest-tenured finance chief until early 2024, is under investigation by the OSP and other state institutions for a range of suspected offences, including procurement irregularities, offshore financial arrangements, and breaches of the Public Financial Management Act during his tenure.

Ofori-Atta’s legal representatives argued before the court that the OSP’s threat to publicly declare him wanted infringed upon his constitutional rights and risked prejudicing the outcome of ongoing investigations. The court, however, ruled that the application lacked merit and upheld the OSP’s mandate to pursue public accountability through lawful notice and search procedures.

The ruling, which was disclosed by the OSP via its official X account on Wednesday, marks the latest judicial setback for the former finance minister, who has initiated a series of legal challenges in recent months in an apparent effort to stall the progress of the investigations.

In addition to domestic proceedings, Ofori-Atta is currently the subject of an active Interpol Red Notice, with Ghanaian authorities said to be coordinating with international law enforcement partners on extradition procedures to facilitate his return.

The Special Prosecutor, Emmanuel Kissi Agyebeng, has vowed to pursue cases of high-level corruption “without fear or favour,” amid growing domestic and international scrutiny over governance and transparency in West Africa’s second-largest economy.

The outcome of the legal standoff is expected to have broader implications for the independence of Ghana’s anti-corruption institutions and their ability to pursue politically exposed persons.