Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has taken legal action against the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and its head, Kissi Agyebeng, for what he deems an unjust declaration labeling him a wanted individual. The lawsuit was filed at the Accra High Court on 13 March, with Mr. Ofori-Atta seeking compensation and a ruling that his fundamental human rights were breached.
The dispute arose from a statement issued by the OSP on 12 February, which accused Mr. Ofori-Atta of evading justice. The anti-corruption agency claimed that the former minister had failed to respond to several requests to assist in an ongoing corruption investigation, impeding their progress.
However, Mr. Ofori-Atta’s legal team contends that their client was not avoiding authorities but was instead dealing with serious health issues, including preparations for a critical medical procedure. They assert that these health concerns were communicated to the OSP before the public declaration was made.
Although the OSP removed Mr. Ofori-Atta’s name from their wanted list on 18 February, after he assured them of his return to Ghana, his legal representatives are pursuing damages resulting from the incident. They argue that his reputation has been harmed, and he continues to face stress, especially since his details allegedly remain on the OSP’s website as a wanted person.
Mr. Ofori-Atta is seeking a court ruling that the actions of the OSP violated his rights to dignity, fair treatment, and administrative justice. He is also seeking compensation for the damage caused to his reputation and emotional well-being by the announcement.
In addition to this legal action, Mr. Ofori-Atta had previously sued some national security officials for unlawfully raiding his home. The former minister is determined to uphold his rights and seek justice for the alleged infringements he has faced.
