Frank Davies, counsel for former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, says his client remains committed to fulfilling his civic obligations but has not been served with any court summons, despite the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) announcing a court date for the high-profile corruption case.
“He has served this country before. If he is notified, he knows what to do under my guidance. But as we speak, he has not been served,” Mr Davies said in a radio interview with Joy FM on Thursday [Nov 20, 2025.]
Mr Ofori-Atta, who is currently in the United States, was this week charged alongside seven former senior officials with 78 counts of corruption and corruption-related offences.
However, his lawyer insists that the former minister has not received any formal communication directing him to appear before the High Court on Monday, November 24.
The OSP on Tuesday announced that the accused persons in the Republic v. Kenneth Ofori-Atta & 7 Others would appear before the High Court next week and that steps were being taken to serve fugitives outside Ghana’s jurisdiction.
But Mr Davies dismissed suggestions that proper service had been carried out.
“There is no way my client has been notified of this court date. It is a criminal process, and service must be effected properly on him and on everyone involved,” he said. “So far, nothing of the sort has happened.”
He stressed that Mr Ofori-Atta was not avoiding prosecution, adding that the former minister was “a responsible citizen who understands the law and will comply if officially served.”
The OSP has indicated that the former finance minister could be tried in absentia if he fails to return to Ghana. The accused persons include former senior officials of the Ministry of Finance, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML).
Those charged are:
• Ken Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta, former Minister for Finance
• Ernest Darko Akore, former Chef de Cabinet, Ministry of Finance
• Emmanuel Kofi Nti, former GRA Commissioner-General
• Rev Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, former GRA Commissioner-General
• Isaac Crentsil, former Commissioner of Customs and SML General Manager
• Kwadwo Damoah, former Commissioner of Customs and MP for Jaman South
• Evans Adusei
• Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML)
Background
The OSP’s charges stem from months of investigations into alleged irregular contracts and payments involving the Ministry of Finance, the GRA and SML. Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng previously disclosed that the probe uncovered “serious financial irregularities” implicating several officials.
The OSP also intends to recover GH₵125 million from SML, describing the amount as “unjust enrichment at the expense of the Republic.”
For now, however, the former finance minister’s legal team maintains that he has not received any official summons — a procedural gap that could become the first major legal hurdle in the case.
Related articles:
Why Interpol removed Ken Ofori-Atta from red notice
Why OSP says Ken Ofori-Atta’s conduct is 'totally unacceptable' and has re-declared him wanted
Ken Ofori-Atta declared wanted again by OSP for failing to report in person
