The family of former Ghanaian Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has formally petitioned the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF) and Ghana’s National Central Bureau to revoke the Red Notice issued against him.
The move comes amid escalating tensions between the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and Ofori-Atta, whom the family believes is being unfairly targeted in what they describe as a politically motivated campaign disguised as an anti-corruption crackdown.
In a statement released on Monday, June 9, the family accused the OSP of abusing its mandate and violating both Ghana’s Constitution and international legal norms. They allege that manipulated evidence and crucial medical details were deliberately overlooked to portray Ofori-Atta as a fugitive.
A key claim in the petition is that the OSP obtained an arrest warrant on February 11, 2025, without submitting an affidavit, a requirement for such proceedings. Additionally, the family says the declaration of Ofori-Atta as a fugitive was made through the media, not a court of law, raising serious concerns about procedural breaches and reputational harm.
Despite allegations involving questionable financial transactions with the Electricity Company of Ghana, the National Cathedral, and the Ghana Revenue Authority, the family maintains that no formal criminal charges have been filed against Ofori-Atta to warrant an international Red Notice.
The family further disclosed that Ofori-Atta is undergoing cancer treatment in the United States and had proposed a video interview with the OSP due to a scheduled surgery on June 13. However, the OSP allegedly declined the request, which the family describes as a move toward “public lynching” rather than due process.
To counter what they see as an unlawful campaign, the family filed a fresh legal suit on June 3 to challenge the validity of the arrest warrant and the actions of the OSP. They argue that medical documentation and relevant legal facts were concealed from INTERPOL to engineer an international smear.
As the legal battle unfolds, a Human Rights Court in Ghana is expected to deliver a ruling on June 18. The family remains hopeful that both domestic and international institutions will intervene to uphold justice and restore Ofori-Atta’s legal rights.
They emphasized that the former Finance Minister intends to return to Ghana upon completing his medical treatment to respond to any legitimate legal proceedings. However, they cautioned that justice must never be compromised or weaponized for political gain.
