The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has requested for more time to conclude international processes aimed at serving summons on Mr Ofori-Atta and another accused person, Ernest Darko Akore, both of whom have been declared fugitives from justice.

As a result, the criminal trial involving former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and seven other accused persons has been adjourned to February 26.

Legal Affairs correspondent for JoyNews, Kwaku Asante, mentioned that the hearing scheduled for Wednesday was expected to be a case management conference, a procedural session during which the court would have issued guidelines and directives on how the trial was to proceed.

The conference was unable to hold because the prosecution had not fulfilled two key pre-trial obligations.

To begin with, summons have not yet been served on Mr Ofori-Atta and Mr Akore, who are both currently outside the country. The service is therefore required to be done through the Attorney-General’s Department, a process the OSP said is still in progress.

In addition, the prosecution is required to file and serve all disclosure materials ahead of the case management conference. Although some documents have been submitted, the OSP informed the court that others are yet to be served on the defence.

As a result, during Wednesday’s sitting, the prosecution requested more time to complete the service of the summons and the remaining disclosures to enable the conference to take place when the court reconvenes next month.

The court acceded to the request and adjourned the matter to February 26, expecting that all outstanding procedural steps would be concluded by then.

The case arises from charges brought by the OSP in November 2025, in which Mr Ofori-Atta and his co-accused are alleged to have engaged in corruption and related offences connected largely to contracts awarded to Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) and other public procurement dealings.

The eight accused persons are Ken Ofori-Atta, Ernest Darko Akore, Emmanuel Kofi Nti, Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, Isaac Crentsil, Kwadwo Damoah, Evans Adusei, and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited.

In February, the OSP declared Ofori-Atta wanted for causing financial loss to the state in several dealings, which include the following:

Contractual arrangement between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority for the stated objective of the enhancement of revenue assurance in the downstream petroleum sector, upstream petroleum production, and minerals and metals resource value chain.

Termination of a distribution, loss reduction, and associated network improvement project contract between the Electricity Company of Ghana Limited and Beijing Xhao Chen Technology BXC.

Procurement of contractors and materials and activities and payments in respect of the National Cathedral project

Activities and payments in respect of a contract awarded by the Ministry of Health initially commenced by the Ministry for Special Development Initiative to service Ghana Auto Group Limited for purchases and after-sales service and maintenance of 307 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 304 5 CDI Ambulances for the National Ambulance Service.

Payments out of and utilization of the tax refund account of the Ghana Revenue Authority.

Later, the legal representatives of the former finance minister informed the OSP that their client is currently undergoing medical treatment in the United States and is unable to honor an invitation for questioning.

Ofori-Atta then assured the OSP of its commitment to appearing for questioning on a fixed date, which influenced the OSP's decision to temporarily take his name off the list in March.

However, the office stressed that he is legally obligated to show up on June 2. Failure to do so, an Interpol Red Notice would be issued and extradition proceedings would be initiated in any country where he may be located.

Ken Ofori-Atta then took legal steps to block the OSP from re-declaring him wanted. His lawsuit argues that the agency’s actions are baseless and unjustified.

Ofori-Atta has dismissed allegations of financial misconduct and corruption, insisting that he has been cooperating with investigators through his legal representatives.

In his court filing, he contends that the OSP’s actions have inflicted serious harm on his reputation and personal life. He is seeking a legal injunction to prevent further declarations against him until the case is fully resolved.

The Human Rights Court has adjourned to June 18 for a ruling on the motion filed by the former Finance Minister, seeking to restrain the OSP from declaring him wanted, among other reliefs.

Meanwhile, Ofori-Atta has appeared on Interpol's website for “using public office for profit.”

Member of Parliament (MP) for Ketu North, Edem Agbana, has indicated that the prosecution of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is not politically motivated.

Speaking on Channel One TV on Saturday, June 7, Mr Agbana insisted that the indictment is in the quest for accountability.

“Ministers and Directors who served under John Dramani Mahama between 2013 and 2015 were investigated. The current FIC boss, Kojo Twum Boafo, was abused. He had visited the EOCO office not less than 33 times for investigation."

"His mother’s house, family house, and his own home were all ransacked. Did the NDC come out to say, we just want to embarrass him? It is never payback time, it is about accountability. All we are asking is that you present yourself to the process for due process to take place."

“Nobody is interested in either paying back or in embarrassing anyone,” he stated.