Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, has advised former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta against returning to Ghana amid escalating legal tensions with the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile programme on Saturday, June 7, Bentil expressed concerns over the handling of the case, suggesting that Ofori-Atta should allow the legal process to proceed in his absence.
“If I had the right to advise Ken, I will tell him, don’t come to Ghana. Let them try you in absentia and do whatever they will do, and we will take it from there,” Bentil stated.
Bentil also criticized the OSP’s decision to declare Ofori-Atta wanted, arguing that it exceeds the constitutional limits of the office. He emphasized that declaring someone wanted for not submitting to an investigation is not constitutionally appropriate.
Ofori-Atta was declared wanted on June 2 after failing to appear before the OSP, citing medical treatment abroad. His legal team submitted medical documents indicating he is battling cancer and is due for a procedure, but the OSP deemed the explanation insufficient. Subsequently, the OSP requested INTERPOL to issue a Red Notice for his arrest.
On June 5, INTERPOL officially listed Ofori-Atta on its Red Notice database, describing him as a 65-year-old Ghanaian male, born on November 7, 1959, in Accra. The notice includes his physical description and languages spoken.
The charges against Ofori-Atta include alleged misuse of $58 million of public funds intended for a national cathedral project that was never realized. The case is part of a broader anti-corruption campaign launched by President John Mahama, aiming to recover $20 billion in allegedly stolen state funds.
Ofori-Atta’s lawyers have criticized the fugitive declaration as unjust and have previously indicated that he is unwell, requiring surgical procedures that delay his return to Ghana. His current whereabouts remain unknown.