The family of embattled former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has accused the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) of abusing its administrative powers and has formally petitioned for the withdrawal of the INTERPOL Red Notice issued against him.In a press statement, the family described the actions of the OSP as driven by personal vendetta.
They confirmed that they have written to the National Central Bureau and the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF), requesting the removal of the Red Notice issued on Mr. Ofori-Atta.
The family disclosed that the former minister has undergone surgery successfully and is currently receiving treatment and recovering. They assured that he will return at the appropriate time to respond to the allegations levelled against him, expressing strong confidence that he will be acquitted once all matters are addressed.
According to the family, the OSP allegedly manipulated evidence in order to obtain an arrest warrant on February 11, 2025. They claim that the warrant was secured under unusual circumstances, as available records do not indicate how the OSP acquired it without an affidavit.
Following this, the family has initiated a lawsuit concerning what they call the “unusual securing” of the arrest warrant, with the Ghana Police Service and INTERPOL named as defendants.They further argue that the earlier declaration of Mr. Ofori-Atta as a wanted person was a violation of his human rights.
They had earlier dragged the OSP to the Human Rights Court, asserting that the declaration of Ofori-Atta as wanted through the media, was unlawful and procedurally flawed. A ruling on this matter is scheduled for June 18.
Despite the pending ruling, the family noted with concern that the OSP has repeated the declaration of Mr. Ofori-Atta as wanted, which they consider to be in contempt of court. They explained that the former minister had agreed to participate in a video-recorded interview to provide a caution statement while continuing his medical treatment, underscoring his willingness to comply with legal procedures.
The family highlighted Mr. Ofori-Atta’s history of respecting the law and adhering to legal processes. They referenced his cooperation during the failed parliamentary censure motion, as well as his clearance by various anti-corruption bodies, including CHRAJ, the ECOWAS Court of Justice, and the Parliament of Ghana.
They described suggestions that he is evading accountability as both untrue and preposterous.They also took issue with the OSP’s claim of being unaware of the rescheduled surgical procedure to June 2, arguing that this misrepresentation undermines the credibility of the office.
They cited a letter from the Mayo Clinic indicating that Mr. Ofori-Atta’s health condition was serious and warranted the rescheduling. The family revealed that the request for a video-recorded interview was necessitated by a new cancer diagnosis, for which he is expected to undergo surgery on June 13.
In a portion of the family’s letter, they stated that Mr. Ofori-Atta’s legal team has contacted the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files to determine whether key information was disclosed to INTERPOL when the OSP, along with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Justice, and Interior, and the Inspector General of Police, pursued the Red Notice.
These include the ongoing legal suits in the Human Rights Court, the scheduled June 18 hearing, the medical reports from Mayo Clinic, and the impending surgery. They argue that had this information been disclosed, the Red Notice application would have violated Articles 2 and 3 of INTERPOL’s Constitution, particularly regarding the right to health, as guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The family asserts that the OSP’s handling of the matter reflects a misuse of office for personal vendetta and political persecution. They accuse the OSP of deliberately suppressing evidence, denying institutional flexibility to enable compliance with lawful orders, and disregarding due process and constitutional obligations.
They also point to a breach of professional ethics and the unlawful declaration of Mr. Ofori-Atta as a fugitive through a media briefing. According to them, the OSP has refused to be guided by the regulatory frameworks that govern investigative powers and, in so doing, has violated Mr. Ofori-Atta’s human rights by acting beyond its legal limits.
They conclude by condemning the OSP’s actions as a premeditated theatrical stunt, calling on all relevant institutions to uphold justice, due process, and fundamental human rights in the ongoing matter.