Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has launched a fresh legal battle against the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), seeking a court order to bar the anti-corruption agency from branding him a “wanted person” or a “fugitive from justice.”
In a motion filed by his legal team, Ofori-Atta argues that the OSP has overstepped its legal boundaries and violated principles of administrative justice by publicly displaying his photograph and details on its official platforms, including social media.
He contends that this action is unjustified and contradicts an earlier assurance given by the OSP in a letter dated February 18, 2025, which suggested that such measures would not be pursued.
The former minister is demanding the immediate removal of his name from the OSP’s list of wanted persons and an injunction preventing the agency from reinstating it without judicial approval.
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His legal action also includes a request for a mandatory order compelling the OSP to delete all references to him as a wanted individual from its communication channels, including press releases, online portals, and social media pages.
Claims of Rights Violation
Ofori-Atta’s legal team insists that the actions of the OSP infringe upon his fundamental human rights, particularly his right to personal liberty, freedom of movement, and administrative justice as guaranteed under the 1992 Constitution.
They argue that labeling him as a fugitive without a court ruling amounts to a presumption of guilt, which violates the principles of fair trial and due process.
His lawyers further contend that the OSP’s conduct has caused significant reputational damage to their client, affecting both his personal and professional standing.
They claim that the “wanted” designation has led to public ridicule, travel restrictions, and undue hardships, despite no court convicting him of any wrongdoing.
Legal Battle Intensifies
The legal standoff between Ofori-Atta and the OSP is set to escalate in the coming weeks, with the case scheduled for hearing in April 2025.
If granted, the injunction would effectively prevent the OSP from making any further public statements or declarations against the former finance minister until the court delivers its final judgment.
This lawsuit is the latest twist in an ongoing conflict between Ofori-Atta and the anti-corruption body, which has been investigating his tenure at the Finance Ministry.
While the OSP has not publicly detailed the specific allegations against him, sources suggest they relate to financial mismanagement and potential breaches of procurement laws.
Despite the legal challenges, Ofori-Atta remains adamant about clearing his name. His legal team has vowed to take all necessary steps to ensure that due process is followed and that the OSP does not act outside its constitutional mandate.
With the legal battle now in court, all eyes will be on the judiciary to determine whether the OSP’s actions were justified or if they overstepped their legal authority in branding the former minister a wanted person.
