Enayat Qasimi, the US-based attorney representing former Ghanaian Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, has addressed the charges against his client, asserting that the case is politically motivated. In an exclusive interview with the BBC, Qasimi claimed that the legal action involving the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML), which was initiated by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), has been driven by political interests.
Despite the legal challenges, Qasimi emphasized that Ken Ofori-Atta remains committed to complying with Ghanaian law. He confirmed that Ofori-Atta intends to defend his actions as Finance Minister, but raised concerns about his client being denied his legal rights during the process.
### Lawyer Claims Denial of Legal Rights
"He is fully committed to complying with the laws of Ghana and answering for his actions as Finance Minister," Qasimi stated. "There’s absolutely no question about that. The issue here is whether he is being given the rights guaranteed to him under Ghanaian law. He is not. He never has been."
Qasimi went on to say that the Ghanaian authorities were aware that Ofori-Atta had been receiving medical treatment in the United States, making the decision to issue an Interpol Red Notice unnecessary. “The authorities knew Ken Ofori-Atta was in the US for treatment. There was no reason to issue the Red Notice, but they chose to go ahead with it,” he added.
### Background on the GRA-SML Case
The case against Ofori-Atta and several others stems from an investigation by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) into contracts awarded to SML. In a press conference in October 2025, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyabeng revealed that these contracts were unlawful and had been influenced by personal gain. He highlighted that evidence gathered by the OSP pointed to criminal behavior by officials involved in the approval and implementation of the contracts, which led to financial losses for the state.
The OSP's probe also uncovered that key government officials had bypassed due process, sidestepping statutory procedures and using their positions for self-serving purposes, weakening accountability within the Ministry of Finance and the Ghana Revenue Authority.
### Corruption Charges Filed
In November 2025, the OSP filed 78 charges related to corruption against Ken Ofori-Atta and five others in connection with the SML revenue assurance contracts. The other individuals facing charges include former and current Commissioners of the GRA, Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah and Emmanuel Kofi Nti, as well as several GRA officials. The charges include conspiracy to commit criminal offenses, particularly influencing the procurement process to gain an unfair advantage.
### Extradition Request Submitted
In the latest developments, the Ghanaian government has officially requested the extradition of Ken Ofori-Atta from the United States. This request was made to facilitate his return to Ghana to face the charges. Ghana’s Attorney General, Dr. Dominic Ayine, confirmed that the request was submitted on November 19, 2025, marking the beginning of extradition proceedings for Ofori-Atta and his alleged accomplice, Ernest Darko Kore.
The Attorney General also revealed that Ken Ofori-Atta has retained top legal counsel in the US to contest the extradition.
### The Political Debate
The case has sparked political debates within Ghana, with critics suggesting that the charges against Ofori-Atta are politically motivated. The former Finance Minister has been a key figure in the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), and some have speculated that the legal action is part of a broader political struggle.
Enayat Qasimi's comments suggest a belief that the case is part of a larger scheme to target Ofori-Atta for political reasons, further intensifying the ongoing political tensions in the country.
As the legal process unfolds, it remains to be seen how the situation will evolve and what impact it will have on Ghana's political landscape.
Source: MyNewsGh.com
0 Comments