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Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has strongly criticised the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) for what he describes as unnecessary delays in investigating former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta over alleged corruption-related offences.
His concerns follow the OSP’s recent declaration of Ofori-Atta as a suspect in four high-profile corruption investigations, including the National Cathedral project and the Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) contract. The announcement came amid heightened scrutiny over financial mismanagement allegations linked to the former minister’s tenure.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, Kpebu dismissed any notion of applauding the OSP’s actions, arguing that the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, had ample time to act much earlier but failed to do so, allowing Ofori-Atta to leave the country.
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“The OSP said January 22 was the first time they sought Ofori-Atta to come and answer. I beg the OSP to clarify this. If that is the case, I am even more upset. I understand that this is a criminal matter, but KPMG had already conducted an audit,” he stated.
Kpebu further emphasised that many of the alleged infractions did not require extensive investigations before action could be taken, questioning the rationale behind the delay.
“Some of the reasons why he is being wanted are not rocket science. The procurement matters in trying to push and give SML a single-sourced contract. How many years do you need to investigate that? Some of the areas of infractions are not complex, so why did you wait?” he queried.
According to him, the OSP’s handling of the case raises concerns about its efficiency and effectiveness in tackling corruption, especially when it comes to politically exposed individuals.
He insisted that Ghanaians must critically examine the OSP’s track record rather than celebrating its recent actions against Ofori-Atta.
“The OSP has to come again, and we also have to scrutinise what the office has been doing since day one. We should not get excited that the OSP has finally taken action against Ofori-Atta,” Kpebu asserted.
His comments reflect growing dissatisfaction among sections of the Ghanaian public regarding the fight against corruption. Many believe that investigative bodies, including the OSP, often act too late, giving suspects ample time to evade justice or manipulate the legal process.
The special prosecutor’s decision to go after Ofori-Atta comes in the wake of multiple controversies surrounding his tenure as finance minister. In particular, his involvement in the National Cathedral project and the awarding of contracts to SML without competitive bidding have been flagged as major concerns.
Despite the criticisms, the OSP has defended its approach, stating that its investigations follow due legal process and that no individual is above the law.
However, with Ofori-Atta currently outside the country, questions remain about whether he will return to face the charges or if the OSP will be forced to pursue extradition measures.
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