The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has removed former Finance Minister Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta from its list of wanted persons after he confirmed a definite date for his voluntary return to Ghana.
In a press release dated February 18, 2025, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng stated that Ofori-Atta, who was declared a fugitive on February 12, had now agreed to return to the country.
The OSP had earlier placed him on its wanted list after he failed to indicate when he would return, despite being directed to appear in person for questioning over alleged corruption and related offences.
According to the OSP, Ofori-Atta, through his lawyers, formally informed the office of his planned return, leading to a review of his status. His scheduled appearance has since been adjusted to match his confirmed date of arrival.
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“As a result, Mr Ofori-Atta has been removed from the OSP’s list of wanted persons and is no longer considered a fugitive, provided he returns as agreed,” the statement said.
The OSP, however, warned that if he fails to return or misses his scheduled meeting, his name will be reinstated on the wanted list, and legal action will be taken to ensure his appearance.
Ofori-Atta, who served as Finance Minister from 2017 to 2023, is under investigation for suspected corruption. His removal from the list follows weeks of speculation about his whereabouts and whether he would cooperate with the probe.
The OSP reaffirmed its commitment to due process and accountability in handling corruption cases.
Read the entire statement below;
PRESS RELEASE
KENNETH NANA YAW OFORI-ATTA
On 12 February 2025, the Special Prosecutor declared Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta, a former Minister of Finance, a wanted person and a fugitive from justice on the ground that he had failed to indicate a reasonable time of his return to the jurisdiction - although he had been informed by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) that he was a suspect in various suspected corruption and corruption-related cases and he had been directed to physically attend the OSP in Accra on a specified date and at a specified time for interviewing.
On 18 February 2025, Mr. Ofori-Atta transmitted a communication through his lawyers to the OSP by which he stated a definite date of his voluntary return to the jurisdiction. This marks a major shift from Mr. Ofori-Atta's previous intention of remaining outside the jurisdiction indefinitely.
On 18 February 2025, the OSP acceded to Mr. Ofori-Atta's request as it deemed his stated date of voluntary return to the jurisdiction reasonable in the circumstances. On 18 February 2025, the Special Prosecutor rescheduled the date of Mr. Ofori-Atta's attendance at the OSP taking into account Mr. Ofori-Atta's stated date of voluntary return to the jurisdiction.
Consequently, Mr. Ofori-Atta has been removed from the OSP's list of wanted persons and the OSP ceases to consider Mr. Ofori-Atta a fugitive from justice pending his voluntary return to the jurisdiction circa his stated date. If Mr. Ofori-Atta fails to voluntarily return to the jurisdiction circa his stated date, and if Mr. Ofor-Atta fails to attend the OSP on the rescheduled date, he shall be re-entered on the OSP's list of wanted persons and the OSP shall then consider him a fugitive from justice, and the OSP shall take all necessary legal steps to secure his return to the jurisdiction and attendance at the OSP at our own choosing.
The OSP is committed to its mandate of ensuring accountability guided by due process and fairness.
[SGD]
KISSI AGYEBENG
THE SPECIAL PROSECUTOR
18 February 2025
5 Haile Selassie Ave.
South Ridge, Accra
GA-079-0905
www.oso.gov.gh
info@esp.gough
+233 (0) 50 255 8517
+235 (0) 30 266 0506
