Ken Ofori-Atta vs Special Prosecutor: Reason for Removal of INTERPOL Red Notice Explained
- The Special Prosecutor has clarified the reasoning behind reports that the INTERPOL Red Notice on Ken Ofori-Atta has been removed
- The special prosecutor also criticised the reporting on the removal of the Red Notice in a statement
- Ofori-Atta was declared wanted after he failed to honour a meeting with the special prosecutor in June
Ghana’s top stories, now easier to find. Discover our new search feature!
The Office of the Special Prosecutor has explained reports about INTERPOL removing a red notice alert issued against former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.
The office is concerned that reporting on the development is borne of mischief and misinformation.
Source: Facebook
In a statement, it explained that the notice had been redacted from public view because of a challenge from Ofori-Atta being assessed.
In October 2025, the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files notified Ghanaian authorities that Ofori-Atta, who is currently in the US, had applied to have his name removed from the red notice.
Ghana filed a response on October 22, 2025.
Further communication from the Commission on November 7, 2025, indicated that Ofori-Atta had submitted additional arguments in support of his application, and Ghana was requested to respond by November 21, 2025.
"The proceedings are still ongoing, and during this period, the applicant’s details are often redacted from public view."
Timeline of Ofori-Atta's time as a suspect
On January 24, 2025, the Special Prosecutor formally notified Ofori-Atta that he was a suspect in the five cases and directed him to appear in person on February 10, 2025.
On January 31, 2025, the former minister's lawyers informed the special prosecutor that he would be outside Ghana indefinitely for medical reasons but offered to represent him in his absence.
On February 5, 2025, the Special Prosecutor rejected a claim of indefinite absence and demanded a reasonable return date by February 10, 2025. Agyebeng also warned of legal consequences for non-compliance and clarified that lawyers cannot answer criminal charges on behalf of their clients.
On February 10, 2025, Ofori-Atta's lawyers submitted a doctor’s note stating he was undergoing tests and possibly surgery in the US, with no clear return date. The special prosecutor received the letter with scepticism, describing the letter as purportedly coming from a doctor.
On February 12, 2025, the Special Prosecutor declared Ofori-Atta a fugitive from justice, acting on an arrest warrant.
Source: Getty Images
On February 18, 2025, Ofori-Atta appealed to the special prosecutor to remove his name from the wanted list and pledged to return to Ghana in May. The special prosecutor subsequently took his name off the list following the assurance.
Following this, Agyebeng gave a deadline of June 2, 2025, for Ofori-Atta to report in person to the Office of the Special Prosecutor headquarters or face being declared wanted again.
On March 16, 2025, Ofori-Atta sued the Office of the Special Prosecutor, seeking compensation for being declared wanted.
On May 28, 2025, the court adjourned Ofori-Atta's attempt to keep the special prosecutor from declaring him wanted. The case was adjourned to June 18.
On June 2, 2025, Ofori-Atta failed to appear before the special prosecutor and was subsequently declared wanted again.
On November 18, Ofori-Atta was formally charged by the special prosecutor in the Strategic Mobilisation Ghana scandal
About the corruption charges against Ofori-Atta
YEN.com.gh reported that the Office of the Special Prosecutor charged Ofori-Atta and seven others with 78 counts of corruption and corruption-related offences.
The charges are related to corruption in the revenue assurance contracts between the Ghana Revenue Authority and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
