EOCO and NIB Pursue Ex-Finance Minister Ofori-Atta Amid Widening Investigations Into Financial Misconduct
Former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, is facing mounting legal challenges after the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) reportedly declared him a wanted person in connection with ongoing investigations into alleged financial misconduct during his tenure in office.
The move signals a significant escalation in the multi-agency scrutiny of Mr. Ofori-Atta, whose stewardship of Ghana’s public finances — particularly during the country’s debt restructuring and IMF bailout period — has long drawn public and political attention. The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) had earlier sought his cooperation in related investigations but said its attempts to secure his voluntary appearance had failed.
Deputy Attorney General, Justice Srem-Sai, in an interview, confirmed that the government has activated formal extradition protocols to secure Mr. Ofori-Atta’s return to Ghana from abroad. He is currently believed to be residing in the United States.
“We are currently in the process of taking steps to have him extradited to Ghana,” said Mr. Srem-Sai. “The arrest comes in many forms. You can arrest him and keep him temporarily, but beyond that, there must be a formal extradition process.”
The Deputy AG emphasized that extradition would depend on whether the alleged offences under investigation are recognized as crimes in the jurisdiction where Mr. Ofori-Atta is found. Ghanaian authorities, he said, are liaising with their counterparts in the US and other jurisdictions, depending on his precise location.
Once apprehended and repatriated, Mr. Ofori-Atta will be formally arrested, cautioned, and charged in line with Ghanaian legal procedure. The former minister could subsequently be granted bail pending trial.
The current investigations by EOCO and NIB run parallel to that of the OSP, which has maintained pressure on the former finance chief amid concerns over procurement irregularities, conflict of interest, and public finance management under his watch.
While no formal charges have yet been publicly disclosed, legal experts say the convergence of multiple law enforcement agencies in the probe points to serious financial impropriety allegations, which, if substantiated, could carry significant legal and political consequences.
The developments mark a dramatic turn for Mr. Ofori-Atta, who served as Finance Minister from 2017 until early 2024, during which he spearheaded Ghana’s debt exchange programme, negotiated a $3 billion IMF bailout, and oversaw the implementation of controversial fiscal measures, including the now-defunct Electronic Transfer Levy.
