The Criminal Division of the High Court has thrown out an application filed by former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, who sought to nullify an arrest warrant issued against him by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
The court ruled that the application lacked merit, rejecting Mr. Ofori-Atta’s claim that the arrest warrant — and related measures, including an Interpol Red Notice alert — had been unlawfully secured by the OSP.
The decision marks a significant victory for the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, who earlier this year publicly declared Mr. Ofori-Atta a “wanted fugitive.” On February 12, 2025, Mr. Agyebeng told the media:
“OSP declares Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta a wanted fugitive. Mr. Ofori-Atta, you have two choices: you can return to the jurisdiction voluntarily or face the consequences.”
Mr. Ofori-Atta had argued that the OSP’s processes leading to the arrest warrant and subsequent Red Notice were flawed and unconstitutional. The court, however, dismissed these arguments, holding that there had been no procedural irregularities or abuse of process.
The former minister, a key figure in the Akufo-Addo administration, is currently under investigation in five major corruption-related cases, including:
- Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited & GRA Agreement – over revenue assurance services in petroleum and mineral sectors.
- ECG and Beijing Technology Contract Termination – linked to the abrupt cancellation of a power distribution loss reduction project.
- National Cathedral Project – probing procurement processes and the use of state funds for the controversial project.
- Procurement of 307 Ambulances – involving contracts for emergency medical vehicles.
- GRA Tax Refund Account – examining alleged irregular withdrawals and use of funds from the account.
The ruling clears the way for the OSP to continue its investigations and possible prosecution.
