Stop the knee-jerk reactions, showboating and respond to Ofori-Atta’s lawsuit — Frank Davies to OSP

Frank Davies, a member of the legal team of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, has criticized Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng, accusing him of engaging in what he described as unnecessary showboating.

Mr. Davies urged the Special Prosecutor to respond to the lawsuit filed against him by Mr. Ofori-Atta instead of resorting to public theatrics.

Speaking in an interview on Accra-based Joy FM’s Midday News on Monday, March 17, he stated: "You have been served with an originating notice of motion. The OSP has conceded that the process has been duly served."

“As a trained lawyer occupying such an esteemed office, what should he have done? Respond to the motion—not engage in knee-jerk reactions, showboating, and unnecessary attempts to court public attention through press conferences,” he added.

His comments follow a warning from the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to Mr. Ofori-Atta, stating that he risks being declared a wanted fugitive again if he fails to appear before the office by June 2, 2025.

This was after the former minister had taken legal action against the OSP, challenging the legality of the previous declaration of him as a wanted person and a fugitive from justice.

In his suit, he argues that the OSP exceeded its statutory mandate by making such declarations through a media briefing, thereby violating his fundamental human rights and breaching Ghana’s constitutional provisions.

Among other reliefs, Mr. Ofori-Atta is seeking an injunction to prevent the OSP from re-declaring him a wanted person or a fugitive from justice.

In reaction, the OSP, in a press release on Monday, insisted it remains undeterred and will take further action if Mr. Ofori-Atta fails to comply.

“Mr. Ofori-Atta is mandatorily required to appear in person before the OSP on 2 June 2025.

“If Mr. Ofori-Atta fails to attend the OSP on the scheduled date, he shall be re-entered on the OSP’s list of wanted persons and shall be considered a fugitive from justice; whereupon the OSP will cause the issuance of an Interpol Red Notice in his regard and also initiate extradition proceedings in any jurisdiction in which he may be found,” the statement read.

The former finance minister is currently under investigation for several suspected corruption-related cases, including the SML scandal and the procurement of ambulance spare parts.