Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has filed a lawsuit against the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) following its decision to declare him wanted over alleged corruption and financial misconduct.
Ofori-Atta is seeking a court injunction to prevent the OSP from reissuing the declaration, which he describes as baseless and unjustified.
The legal action stems from an earlier announcement by the OSP, labeling the former minister a fugitive in connection with an ongoing investigation.
In his suit, Ofori-Atta argues that the OSP’s actions have caused severe damage to his reputation and personal life.
He insists that he has cooperated fully with the investigation through his legal representatives and maintains that the allegations are unfounded.
Ofori-Atta is asking the court to declare that the OSP acted beyond its statutory mandate by using a media briefing to declare him wanted.
He argues that the OSP has no legal authority to declare a person wanted without the approval of the court, as such powers are reserved for the police under Ghana’s constitutional framework.
The former minister contends that the OSP’s actions amount to a violation of his constitutional rights, including his right to personal liberty and freedom of movement as enshrined in Articles 14 and 21 of the 1992 Constitution.
He further asserts that the OSP’s actions breach Ghana’s international treaty obligations under the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
Ofori-Atta is therefore seeking a declaration from the court that the OSP’s actions were unlawful and an order to restrain the office from making any further declarations against him until the legal process is fully resolved.
This lawsuit marks a significant legal challenge to the OSP’s authority and could have broader implications for how the office exercises its investigative and prosecutorial powers.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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