OSP’s fugitive tag on Ofori-Atta unreasonable-NPP

The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has rejected the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s (OSP) declaration that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is a fugitive, describing the claim as “unreasonable.”
The NPP maintained that since taking public office in 2017, Mr. Ofori-Atta has consistently addressed any legal matters he has been involved in, and will continue to do so with the current case.

Assurances of return and transparency
During a press conference in Accra, National Organiser Henry Nana Boakye, also known as Nana B, stated that once Ofori-Atta’s doctors declare him fit and healthy, he would return to Ghana.
He assured the OSP that the former minister would willingly assist with the investigation after completing his medical treatment in the USA.
He emphasised that the issue could have been resolved through proper correspondence, adding, “Until then, the Special Prosecutor should avoid making sensational statements that provoke public emotions and create unnecessary drama.”
Nana Boakye also expressed concern that labeling Ofori-Atta as a fugitive amounts to a national embarrassment, given that correspondence with his legal team spanned only two weeks.
“It is not as if the person is lost. The person cannot be traced,” he remarked.

Details of the case and legal process
The OSP on Tuesday declared Mr Ofori-Atta as a fugitive from justice.
The former Minister is being investigated for contractual arrangements between Strategic Mobilization Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority for the stated objective of the enhancement of revenue assurance in the downstream petroleum sector, upstream petroleum production, and minerals and metals resources value chain.
Other offences are termination of a Distribution, Loss Reduction and Associated Network Improvement Project contract between the Electricity Company of Ghana Limited and Beijing Xiao Cheng Technology (BXC) and procurement of contractors and materials.
The rest are activities and payments In respect of the National Cathedral project and activities and payments in respect of a contract awarded by the Ministry of Health (initially commenced by the Ministry for Special Development Initiatives) to Service Ghana Auto Group Limited for purchases and after-sales service and maintenance of 307 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 305 CDI ambulances for the National Ambulance Service.

Ofori-Atta’s lawyers
But, lawyers for Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, a former Minister of Finance, say their client gave notice to the former Chief of Staff in early January and more recently to the current Chief of Staff of his trip abroad.
The lawyers said their client was currently undergoing medical observation and tests culminating in medical decisions to be taken in due course as to the way forward with treatment.
Justice Kusi-Minkah Premo, one of the lawyers, said they were informed by their client that a letter dated January 24, 2025, was left at their client’s security post for his attention.
He said their client had been out of the country and therefore not in his home in Ghana at the time and that the said letter had been brought to their attention on the instructions of their client, who was still out of Ghana.
He said the said letter was inviting their client to attend in person at the OSP Offices on Monday February 10, 2025, at 10am and after that he would have a better idea of when he was able to proceed to Ghana.
“We are therefore humbly bringing to your attention that we shall give you notice of his arrival in the country so as to reschedule your invitation to him for the purposes as stated in the heading of your letter under reference,” he added.
He said they were, however, able and willing to provide the Office with any information the Office might require until their client returns for any in–person investigations outlined in the said letter.
This was the responses to the letter from the OSP for the former Minister to offer himself for questioning at their Office.

Controversial raid adds to the tension
In a separate development, on Tuesday, February 12, 2025, a controversial raid was conducted on Ofori-Atta’s residence by individuals linked to the National Security apparatus.
According to Nana Boakye, Richard Jakpa—identified as the third accused in the discontinued ambulance procurement case—was among those involved.
Video footage from the raid shows twelve heavily armed individuals, including a police officer, four military personnel, and seven men in plain clothes.
Nana Boakye questioned the legitimacy of the operation, given the mix of military and law enforcement personnel involved, further fueling the debate over the selective handling of politically exposed persons by state agencies.