A lawyer for former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has dismissed claims that his client is evading justice, describing the ongoing GRA–SML case as politically motivated.
Enayat Qasimi, an international legal practitioner representing Mr Ofori-Atta, said investigative authorities, particularly the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), were fully aware that the former minister was abroad receiving medical treatment and therefore had no justification to issue a Red Notice against him.
Mr Ofori-Atta is facing 78 counts of corruption alongside seven other individuals in relation to the Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) revenue assurance contract with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). The charges include alleged violations of Section 23(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), and Section 92(2)(b) of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663).
Speaking in an interview with the BBC, Mr Qasimi maintained that his client remains willing to cooperate fully with Ghana’s legal processes. He said Mr Ofori-Atta is committed to answering any questions relating to his tenure as finance minister.
According to the lawyer, the central issue is whether the former minister’s constitutional rights are being respected. He argued that those rights have been consistently violated, despite the authorities’ knowledge of his client’s location and medical condition in the United States.
Mr Qasimi further questioned the basis for issuing an international alert, insisting that there was no need for a Red Notice since the OSP was aware of Mr Ofori-Atta’s whereabouts.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Justice and Attorney General, Dr Dominic Ayine, announced on December 18 that his office has formally submitted an extradition request to the United States for Ken Ofori-Atta and an alleged accomplice, Ernest Akore, as investigations into the case continue.
