The controversy surrounding former Ghanaian Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has intensified after a member of his legal team accused the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) of mishandling efforts to place him on an international watchlist.
Frank Davies, a member of Ofori-Atta’s legal team, has argued that the Special Prosecutor rushed to secure an Interpol Red Notice against the former minister despite the absence of formal criminal charges.
According to Davies, the move ultimately backfired because it failed to meet Interpol’s strict procedural requirements.
Legal Team Claims OSP Acted Prematurely
Speaking on the matter, Davies said the Special Prosecutor acted hastily by seeking a Red Notice alert before establishing the legal basis required under international law.
“Ken Ofori-Atta had not been charged with any offence, yet the Special Prosecutor rushed to court to flag him with a Red Notice alert. In the end, we were embarrassed because the OSP’s actions did not meet Interpol’s rules,” Davies stated.
The development comes after Interpol reportedly removed the Red Notice request linked to Ofori-Atta, raising questions about whether due process was properly followed during the initial attempt to list him internationally.
Growing International and Domestic Pressure
The former finance minister has been under increasing scrutiny amid ongoing investigations into alleged financial irregularities connected to his time in office.
The situation escalated further after more than 1,000 Ghanaians reportedly signed a petition urging U.S. authorities to extradite him to Ghana to face questioning by investigators. Details of the petition can be found in the report here.
Authorities in Ghana have been pursuing multiple legal pathways to ensure the former minister cooperates with ongoing investigations, though his legal representatives maintain that proper legal procedures must be respected.
Questions Over Interpol Procedures
Interpol Red Notices are among the most serious international alerts issued through the global policing body. However, they are only approved when strict legal thresholds are met, including the existence of valid charges or arrest warrants.
Legal analysts say the removal of the notice could complicate attempts by Ghanaian authorities to pursue international cooperation in the case.
Supporters of Ofori-Atta argue that the episode demonstrates the need for careful adherence to international legal protocols, while critics insist that investigations into public officials must proceed transparently and without delay.
Why This Story Matters
The dispute over the Red Notice has become a major political and legal flashpoint in Ghana. It raises broader questions about accountability, international legal cooperation, and the role of institutions such as the Office of the Special Prosecutor in tackling high-profile corruption investigations.
As the debate continues, the case of Ken Ofori-Atta is likely to remain a focal point in Ghana’s evolving conversation about governance, justice, and institutional credibility.
