OSP Denies Rift With Attorney General

OSP Denies Rift with Attorney-General Over Ken Ofori-Atta Extradition, Promises Update by Month-End

October 21, 2025 

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has dismissed media reports suggesting a conflict with the Attorney-General's Department over the extradition and prosecution of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, who has been declared wanted by authorities.

In a press statement issued Monday on its official X platform, the OSP emphasized its commitment to cooperating with Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Dr. Dominic Ayine to ensure the lawful prosecution of the former minister.

Clarifying the Extradition Process

"The OSP will continue to cooperate fully with the Attorney General's Department to ensure that the matter proceeds lawfully and efficiently. The investigations remain very active; the extradition processes are underway," the statement read.

The clarification comes in response to public discussions and statements made by the Deputy Attorney-General during an interview on GHOne TV, in which he claimed that the Attorney-General's Department had written multiple letters to the OSP requesting the case docket on Ofori-Atta to facilitate his extradition, but had not received responses.

Multi-Agency Procedure Underway

The OSP provided detailed insight into the complexity of the extradition process, describing it as "a multi-agency procedure involving several sequential steps and statutory actors."

According to the statement, these steps include: investigation and evidence compilation by the OSP, issuance of an arrest warrant by a competent court, preparation of extradition documentation by the OSP, transmission of the package to the Attorney-General as the Central Authority, legal authentication and certification by the Attorney-General, diplomatic transmission to the foreign government in question, and response and determination by the foreign jurisdiction in accordance with treaty obligations.

"These processes are ongoing effectively. And in the reckoning of the OSP, it is not at loggerheads or in dispute whatsoever with the Attorney General's Department. And the OSP is confident that that should be the position of the Attorney General's Department," the statement emphasized.

No Institutional Breakdown

The OSP was categorical in stating that there is no breakdown in institutional cooperation between the two offices, noting that while they are distinct entities by constitutional design, they remain complementary arms of justice.

"Indeed, there is no hint whatsoever of institutional cooperation breakdown between the two authorities. The two offices are distinct by design but remain complementary arms of justice under Ghana's constitutional architecture. Differences in function do not imply conflict; they ensure accountability through procedural checks and balances," the statement explained.

Security Concerns Raised

The OSP also expressed concern about the leak of highly sensitive communications related to the case, warning that such breaches "pose grave risks to ongoing investigations and to the safety of OSP personnel."

The office indicated that it found it necessary to provide factual clarity on the matter and address these security concerns arising from the unauthorized disclosure of confidential information.

Public Briefing Promised

Acknowledging the significant public interest in the case against the former Finance Minister, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng committed to providing a comprehensive update on the investigations.

"The OSP is very much sensitive to the immense public interest attached to the matters involving Mr. Ofori Atta. The Special Prosecutor will brief the public in respect of concluded investigations and their outcomes before the end of October 2025," the statement concluded.

Background

Ken Ofori-Atta, who served as Finance Minister under the previous administration, was declared "wanted" by the OSP's Kissi Agyebeng amid ongoing investigations. The nature of the allegations against him has not been fully disclosed publicly, though the case has attracted widespread attention given his prominent role in managing Ghana's economy during a period of significant fiscal challenges.

The promised public briefing by month-end is expected to shed more light on the specific charges, the progress of investigations, and the status of extradition efforts.