Lawyers of former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta have given the strongest indication that he may not return to Ghana from the United States anytime soon.
The Office of Special Prosecutor (OSP) has declared Ofori-Atta a fugitive from justice and asked him to return voluntarily or forced him to return to help in investigations into alleged corruption offences.
But a letter from lawyers of the embattled former finance minister, sighted by The Thunder indicates that the man is in the United States attending to his health, and that he will not return to the country until he is cleared by his doctors.
Notice
Making reference to a letter from the OSP inviting Ofori-Atta to attend a meeting in person at their offices on Monday 10th February 2025 at 10am, the lawyers stated, “Our client gave notice to the former Chief of Staff in early January and more recently to the current Chief of Staff of his trip outside the country on medical grounds. Our client is currently undergoing medical observation and tests culminating in medical decisions to be taken in due course as to the way forward with treatment. After that he will have a better idea of when he is 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.
“We are however, able and willing to provide you with any information you may require to aid in your investigations until our client is back in the country for any in–person investigations outlined in the said letter.”
Unconvinced
In his press conference where he declared Ofori-Atta a fugitive, the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng said, “The OSP is unconvinced that the purported medical letter transmitted by Mr Ofori-Atta through his lawyers to the OSP represents a medical report to the effect that Mr. Ofori-Atta is incapacitated or is so sickly an invalid to the extent that he is physically unable to return to the jurisdiction without imperiling his life.
“No serious law enforcement agency would be convinced that the purported medical letter estops it from demanding the physical appearance of Mr Ofori-Atta before it in the described circumstances. And certainly not the OSP. We are of the firm conviction that it is only a ruse employed by Mr Ofori-Atta in aid of his intention to avoid his return to the jurisdiction and to personally answer questions in respect of the investigations.”
