Enayat Qasimi, an international legal expert and lead counsel for former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, has criticized the ongoing GRA–SML case, asserting that it is politically driven and that his client is not attempting to evade justice.
In a recent interview with the BBC, Qasimi stated that the investigative authorities, particularly the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), were fully aware that Ofori-Atta was abroad for medical treatment at the time the Red Notice was issued. He emphasized that there was no justification for the notice, as Ofori-Atta had not sought to avoid accountability.
Qasimi reaffirmed his client’s commitment to cooperate with Ghana’s legal process, saying, "He is fully committed to complying with the laws of Ghana and to answering for anything that he did when he was the Finance Minister. There is absolutely no question about that."
### Concerns Over Constitutional Rights
The lawyer raised concerns over the respect for Ofori-Atta’s constitutional rights throughout the legal process. “The question is, is he being given the rights guaranteed under Ghanaian law? He is not, and he has never been,” Qasimi argued.
He further revealed that Ofori-Atta’s medical condition and location in the United States were known to the OSP, making the issuance of the Red Notice unnecessary. “Mr. Ofori-Atta was receiving treatment in the U.S., and they knew all along. There was no purpose for issuing the Red Notice, but they went ahead and issued it,” Qasimi added.
### The GRA–SML Case
Ofori-Atta is facing 78 charges of corruption alongside seven others related to the Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) revenue assurance contract with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). The allegations include breaches of the Criminal Offences Act and the Public Procurement Act.
Meanwhile, the Ghanaian government, through the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General, announced on December 18 that an extradition request has been formally submitted to the United States for Ofori-Atta and an alleged accomplice, Ernest Akore. The extradition is part of ongoing investigations into the case.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
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