Ofori-Atta, Seven Co-Accused Face Court Nov. 24 as OSP Unleashes Sweeping 78-Count Corruption Blitz

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has declared that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, alongside seven alleged accomplices, will be hauled before the courts on Monday, 24 November 2025, to face 78 politically consequential charges involving corruption, abuse of public office, and the betrayal of state trust.

In a formal announcement issued through its official channels, the OSP revealed that prosecutors will seek judicial authorization to serve charges on fugitives currently evading Ghanaian jurisdiction, insisting that no individual—regardless of status—will be shielded from accountability.
This follows the formal indictment of Mr. Ofori-Atta, Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML), and six senior former officials from the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Ministry of Finance, marking one of the most significant corruption prosecutions in recent political history.

The individuals named in the case include Ernest Darko Akore (67), former Chief of Staff at the Finance Ministry; Emmanuel Kofi Nti (66), former Commissioner-General of GRA; and Rev. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah (64), also a former Commissioner-General.

Others implicated are Isaac Crentsil (63) and Kwadwo Damoah (65), both former Commissioners of the Customs Division; Evans Adusei (62), Chief Executive and beneficial owner of SML; and the company itself, Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd, previously known as Strategic Mobilisation Enhancement Ltd.

The prosecution asserts that these individuals operated the nucleus of a far-reaching, politically embedded criminal network that allegedly functioned from 2017 to 2024.
According to investigators, the network facilitated the unlawful award of government contracts and the diversion of over GHS 1.4 billion through manipulated procurement schemes and systematic payments for services that were never executed.

The charge documents outline several key pillars of the alleged misconduct:

• Irregular and Politically Influenced Procurement: Contracts were allegedly handed to SML through single-source procurement without mandatory approvals from the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) or, where applicable, Parliament.
• Fabricated Representations: Prosecutors argue that SML secured its contracts through intentional falsification of its financial stability, technical capability, and purported technological alliances with multinational firm COTECNA S.A.
• Automatic Cash Outflows: SML was reportedly placed on a continuous payment system that enabled vast financial transfers without verification, proof of service, or independent performance validation.
• Official Power Exploited for Private Gain: Senior state actors are accused of weaponising their offices to advance the private interests of SML’s owner, Evans Adusei, at the expense of the Ghanaian public.

The filing also references a suspended upstream petroleum and mineral audit contract worth an estimated US$2.79 billion—a deal prosecutors say could have resulted in an unprecedented financial catastrophe had payments begun.

The OSP confirmed that extradition efforts for Mr. Ofori-Atta are ongoing, following repeated failures to secure his voluntary appearance during investigations. Authorities emphasize that the state will pursue every legal pathway to ensure he stands trial.

Source: Emma Ankrah