OSP Removes Ofori Atta’s Name from Wanted List

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has removed the name of Ghana’s former Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori Atta, from the list of Wanted Persons, ceasing to consider him as a fugitive.

His wanted poster was issued on Monday.

However, upon correspondence from the lawyers of the 66-year-old on Tuesday, the OSP acceded to his request to reschedule his meeting date and therefore rescinded the declaration.

“Mr Ofori Atta has been removed from OSP’s list of wanted persons and the OSP ceases to consider him as a fugitive from justice pending his voluntary return to the jurisdiction of cima on his stated date.”

Reason
The OSP explained that his softened stance is in response to the shift in Mr Ofori Atta’s previous intention of remaining outside the jurisdiction indefinitely.

“On 18 February 2025, the OSP acceded to Mr Ofori Atta’s request as it deems his stated date of voluntary return to the jurisdiction reasonable in the circumstances.”

It has therefore rescheduled his date.

Warning
The Office warned that should the former Minister fail to honour the new timeline, he would be re-entered as a fugitive of justice and added back to the list of wanted persons.

Request
Following the release of his wanted poster, his lawyers wrote to the OSP relaying plans to return to Ghana.

A copy of the letter read in Parliament by the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo Markin, on February 18 said he was scheduled for a surgical procedure and would be fit to return to Ghana in the next three months.

“Our clients hold that taking into account surgical dates from March 20 to 21, and his recuperation period he should be able to be back into the jurisdiction between May 14 and 30, 2025,” it added.

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini