Henry Nana Boakye
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has described actions of the Special Prosecutor (SP), Kissi Agyebeng, as a national embarrassment given the circumstances in which the former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta was labeled as a ‘fugitive from justice’ by the Special Prosecutor.
Speaking at a press conference at the party’s headquarters yesterday in Accra, the National Organiser of the NPP, Henry Nana Boakye, also known as Nana B, questioned why the SP could make such public statements in spite of the ongoing communication between the former Finance Minister and the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
Such actions, he explained, if left unaddressed could collectively undermine the due process and provisions of the constitution and the human rights of citizens, rubbishing the judiciary, and further affecting the democratic gains of the country.
He questioned why a lawyer and law lecturer could make such a basic mistake in labeling a person of interest who has not been charged and remains in contact through his lawyers as a wanted individual or fugitive, stressing that Ken Ofori-Atta was not evading accountability as the SP erroneously claimed.
According to Nana B, on January 2, 2025, the former Finance Minister informed the Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare of travelling to the United States for a follow-up medical visit, and also included his current and reliable contact information at the end of the letter.
He indicated that on January 22, 2025, Mr. Ofori-Atta again wrote to the new Chief of Staff, under President John Mahama, Mr. Julius Debrah, and also informed him that he was overseas for a medical examination, and asked him not to hesitate to contact him for any information in the interest of the state regarding his former position in government.
The National Organiser of the party stated that Mr. Ofori-Atta also provided reliable email addresses for any required communication and attached his letter to the former Chief of Staff for Mr. Debrah’s reference.
He mentioned that on January 24, 2025, the Special Prosecutor sent a letter to Mr. Ofori-Atta’s residence regarding a directive to appear at the Office of the Special Prosecutor on Monday, February 10, 2025, to discuss “suspected corruption and corruption-related offences while enumerating four matters being investigated by the OSP.”
He said on January 31, 2025, Mr. Ofori-Atta also responded to the Special Prosecutor’s letter through his lawyers.
On February 5, 2025, the Special Prosecutor responded to Mr. Ofori-Atta’s lawyers declining the request to be away from the jurisdiction indefinitely on medical grounds based solely on his statement.
The SP went ahead to ask that Mr. Ofori-Atta return to the jurisdiction by the close of business on Monday, February 10, 2025, failure to that “the OSP will take all necessary legal steps to secure your return to the jurisdiction and your attendance at the OSP at our discretion.”
He said in response to the Special Prosecutor’s letter on February 5, 2025, Mr. Ofori-Atta’s lawyers replied the OSP that he was receiving medical attention at the Mayo Clinic in the US, suggesting appointment date after March when his client may be able to return to Ghana.
He said despite all the correspondence between the OSP and the lawyers, on February 11, 2025, twelve men, including one police officer, four military personnel, and seven unidentified individuals in plain clothes, raided Ken Ofori-Atta’s home.
“The OSP is unreasonable and inhumane considering the ongoing communications between Ken Ofori-Atta and the OSP office concerning his health. Additionally, the treatment letter from the Mayo Clinic should demonstrate that he is indeed receiving care,” Nana B stated.
By Ebenezer K. Amponsah
The post Declaring Ofori-Atta Fugitive National Embarrassment – NPP appeared first on DailyGuide Network.
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