Human Rights Court to rule June 18 on Ofori-Atta's challenge to OSP's ‘Fugitive’ tag

The Human Rights Division of the High Court has set June 18, 2025, as the date to deliver its ruling on a legal challenge brought by former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta against the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

Ofori-Atta is asking the court to bar the OSP from describing him as a “wanted person” or a “fugitive from justice,” claims he argues infringe on his constitutional rights, including his liberty and freedom of movement.

In a motion filed before the court, the former minister contends that the OSP’s public statements—especially those published on its social media pages and official website—are defamatory and continue to tarnish his reputation, despite assurances from the OSP that his name had been temporarily removed from the wanted list.

Ofori-Atta is further seeking a court order compelling the OSP to take down all such references from its public platforms.

The Special Prosecutor, Mr. Kissi Agyebeng, however, is vigorously opposing the application, insisting that the office acted within the law. According to the OSP, the former minister failed to honor invitations to assist with ongoing corruption-related investigations, leading to his being declared a fugitive in February 2025.

The OSP maintains that Ofori-Atta’s prolonged stay abroad on medical grounds, without a clear date of return, justified the decision to issue the public notice.

Subsequent engagements between the parties resulted in a temporary removal of his name from the list, after Ofori-Atta committed to appearing before the OSP on June 2, 2025.

As the court prepares to deliver its ruling, the case continues to raise broader questions about the balance between investigative powers and individual rights under Ghana’s legal framework.