Lawmaker for Tolon, Habib Iddrisu had accused the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and the Mahama government of abuse of power in the way they have handled the former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.
The opposition lawmaker stated that the OSP and government owe their citizens a commitment to justice. Therefore such abuses such not be tolerated.
He was commenting on the raid of the house of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta by unidentified men in military uniform on Monday, February 11 and also the action of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to declare him wanted
He said on the floor of parliament that “The actions taken by the OSP are deeply troubling and the actions taken by the government are deeply troubling, they must be addressed. I reiterate my call for accountability and transparency, but the actions taken by the government are deeply troubling and they must be addressed with utmost urgency, we owe to our citizens our commitment to justice that such abuses of power are not repeated. I urge my colleagues to join me in condemning the actions of the government. No current or former appointee of any government should go through such an ordeal.”
Responding to him also on the floor of the House, Minister of Energy and Member of Parliament for Yapei Kusawgu, John Jinapor recounted how gun-wielding national security operatives raided his home in 2017 as part of investigations into the Ameri deal.
He stated that the raid by the national security operatives sent his family, especially his six-year-old child into a state of hysteria.
He said “On that fateful day when my house was raided by AK47-wielding National security operatives when they banged on my door, creating fear and panic, sending my six-year-old child into a state of hysteria and fear, we had Members here, they never commented on it and I commend Prof Mike Oquaye on that day when he stood up ND ruled that what they were doing was wrong. They took my phone, and laptop and took me to the UK to investigate me. ”
He added “The OSP has declared My Ofori-Atta a fugitive. We should not be afraid of accountability. As public official when they took my laptop it got to a point where they couldn’t even open the iPhone, I told them I was willing to come and use my fingerprint, and it was then that they told me the phone had been taken to the UK and I had to give them the password.
“On this day of accountability, the thing I can say is that we wish the Man in white (Ken Ofori0) the best of luck.”
Ken Ofori-Atta is wanted by the OSP for cases being investigated including; the loss reduction contract between ECG and Beijing Jao, procurement over National Cathedral, contracts awarded by the Health Ministry to Service Ghana Auto Limited/Ambulances and the SML-GRA deal.
The OSP further emphasized that it would take all necessary measures to compel the former minister to appear and answer questions related to the investigations.
Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng stated that Ofori-Atta had repeatedly refused to honour invitations for questioning regarding ongoing investigations in which he is a suspect.
“Consequently, the OSP declares Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta a wanted person. He is a fugitive from the law,” Agyebeng announced.
Responding to the OSP, the Lawyers of Mr Ofori-Atta said “We write as Solicitors for Kenneth Ofori–Atta in respect of the above subject and refer to your letter dated 24th January 2025. We are informed by our client that a letter dated 24:” day of January 2025 was left at our client’s security post for his attention. Our client had been out of the country and therefore not in his home in Ghana at the time.
“The said letter has been brought to our attention on the instructions of our client who is still out of Ghana. The said letter is inviting our client to attend in person at your offices on Monday 10? February 2025 at 10am.”
It added that “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.”
The post Habib Iddrisu accuses govt, OSP of abuse of power in handling Ofori-Atta first appeared on 3News.
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