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Ken Ofori-Atta: Interpol issues red notice for Ghana's 'fugitive' ex-minister | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Ken Ofori-Atta is said to be out of the country for medical reasons | Ken Ofori-Atta is said to be out of the country for medical reasons |
Ghana's former finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta has been placed on Interpol's red notice list for allegedly using public office for personal gain. | |
This comes after Ghanaian prosecutors declared him a wanted person as well as a fugitive from justice, as he was outside the country, over his alleged involvement in several corruption cases when he was in government. | This comes after Ghanaian prosecutors declared him a wanted person as well as a fugitive from justice, as he was outside the country, over his alleged involvement in several corruption cases when he was in government. |
A red notice is not an arrest warrant but a request to police worldwide to detain someone pending extradition. | |
Ofori-Atta, who is said to be out of the country for medical reasons, has not commented on the allegations, but he has said he has been unlawfully treated. | Ofori-Atta, who is said to be out of the country for medical reasons, has not commented on the allegations, but he has said he has been unlawfully treated. |
The AFP news agency is quoting Frank Davies, on Ofori-Atta's legal team, criticising the prosecutor's approach. | |
"We submitted medical records in good faith, and the office has chosen to ignore them," Mr Davies told AFP. | |
"The special prosecutor is not being sensitive to the issues at hand, especially knowing that Mr Ofori-Atta is unwell and receiving treatment." | |
The 65-year-old has been accused of causing financial losses to the state. | The 65-year-old has been accused of causing financial losses to the state. |
The allegations include questions over procurement procedures in the building of a controversial national cathedral, which remains a hole in the ground despite the alleged spending of $58m (£46.6m) of government money. | The allegations include questions over procurement procedures in the building of a controversial national cathedral, which remains a hole in the ground despite the alleged spending of $58m (£46.6m) of government money. |
Ofori-Atta's lawyers had offered to represent him but the state prosecutor said they could not respond to criminal charges on behalf of their client. | Ofori-Atta's lawyers had offered to represent him but the state prosecutor said they could not respond to criminal charges on behalf of their client. |
Reporter who sued MP and won $18m hopeful he will pocket the money | Reporter who sued MP and won $18m hopeful he will pocket the money |
In February, Ofori-Atta appealed to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to remove his name from the wanted list and provided a definite return date in May. | In February, Ofori-Atta appealed to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to remove his name from the wanted list and provided a definite return date in May. |
State prosecutor Kissi Agyabeng accepted Ofori-Atta's assurance and subsequently took his name off the wanted list. | State prosecutor Kissi Agyabeng accepted Ofori-Atta's assurance and subsequently took his name off the wanted list. |
But in March Ofori-Atta filed a lawsuit, claiming unlawful treatment and requesting removal of related content from the OSP's social media platforms. | But in March Ofori-Atta filed a lawsuit, claiming unlawful treatment and requesting removal of related content from the OSP's social media platforms. |
Early this month, Ofori-Atta was re-declared a wanted person and a fugitive from justice after failing to appear before an investigative panel. | Early this month, Ofori-Atta was re-declared a wanted person and a fugitive from justice after failing to appear before an investigative panel. |
Agyebeng subsequently formally initiated the Red Notice request, seeking international help in tracking down the former official, local media reported. | Agyebeng subsequently formally initiated the Red Notice request, seeking international help in tracking down the former official, local media reported. |
"We want him here physically, and we insist on it. A suspect in a criminal investigation does not pick and choose how the investigative body conducts its investigations," Agyebeng said. | "We want him here physically, and we insist on it. A suspect in a criminal investigation does not pick and choose how the investigative body conducts its investigations," Agyebeng said. |
In the Red Notice released on late Thursday, Interpol said Ofori-Atta is wanted on charges of "using public office for profit". | In the Red Notice released on late Thursday, Interpol said Ofori-Atta is wanted on charges of "using public office for profit". |
He was finance minister from January 2017 to February 2024, when the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was in power. | He was finance minister from January 2017 to February 2024, when the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was in power. |
The NPP lost last December's elections to the National Democratic Congress. | The NPP lost last December's elections to the National Democratic Congress. |
President John Mahama, who was inaugurated in January, went on to establish an investigative committee known as Operation Recover All Loot. | President John Mahama, who was inaugurated in January, went on to establish an investigative committee known as Operation Recover All Loot. |
The committee has received over 200 complaints of corruption, amounting to more than $20bn in recoverable funds. | The committee has received over 200 complaints of corruption, amounting to more than $20bn in recoverable funds. |
Mahama has directed the attorney general and minister of justice to launch investigations into these allegations, stating that Ghana will no longer be a safe haven for corruption. | Mahama has directed the attorney general and minister of justice to launch investigations into these allegations, stating that Ghana will no longer be a safe haven for corruption. |
However, some Ghanaians have criticised him for discontinuing cases against his former allies on trial. | However, some Ghanaians have criticised him for discontinuing cases against his former allies on trial. |
More Ghana stories from the BBC: | More Ghana stories from the BBC: |
Can Ghana's new president meet the voters' high expectations? | Can Ghana's new president meet the voters' high expectations? |
The Maths Queen with a quantum mission to mentor girls | The Maths Queen with a quantum mission to mentor girls |
Why some Ghanaians are fighting in insurgency-hit Burkina Faso | Why some Ghanaians are fighting in insurgency-hit Burkina Faso |
Ghana wants more for its cashews, but it's a tough nut to crack | Ghana wants more for its cashews, but it's a tough nut to crack |
Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. | Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. |
Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica | Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica |
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