Former Education Minister and New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential hopeful, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, has appealed to the public to remain calm and allow legal institutions to handle matters concerning former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta without undue pressure or speculation.
Appearing on JoyNews’ Newsfile, Dr Adutwum stressed that respect for the rule of law is fundamental to Ghana’s democracy, cautioning against rushing to conclusions before legal processes are completed.
He questioned the tendency to prejudge individuals who are already subject to ongoing legal proceedings, insisting that public discourse should not undermine due process.
According to him, once legal mechanisms have been triggered, it is only appropriate to allow them to function independently.
Dr Adutwum also addressed claims suggesting that Mr Ofori-Atta was evading accountability, pointing out that such assertions overlook the fact that legal processes were already underway.
“If someone is in detention, what are you talking about that he is not making himself available? We are going through the legal process, so allow the process to work,” he stated.
His comments followed questions about the recent arrest of Mr Ofori-Atta by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials.
Mr Ofori-Atta, who served as Ghana’s Finance Minister for close to eight years, has recently come under intense legal and political scrutiny linked to decisions made during his time in office.
He has been the subject of multiple investigations and legal proceedings, including cases involving alleged financial and procurement-related breaches, some of which have international implications.
Authorities have described these actions as part of broader accountability efforts, while the former minister’s legal team has consistently denied any wrongdoing on his part.
Mr Ofori-Atta was detained by ICE on Tuesday, January 6, in Washington DC, a development that has since evolved into a complex legal and diplomatic issue.
He is expected to appear before an immigration judge on January 20, a hearing that could prove pivotal in determining the next phase of the case.
