A former Director of the Ghana School of Law has sharply criticised the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) over what he described as a “media trial” of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.
Professor Kwaku Ansa-Asare says the state’s communication strategy is undermining the presumption of innocence and creating a dangerous public impression that the former minister is guilty before trial.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Tuesday, June 3, Prof Ansa-Asare questioned the OSP’s decision to publicise the case with dramatic rhetoric.
“Ken Ofori-Atta, as at now, is not a suspect. He has not been tried yet, and so he’s not guilty. No one has established his guilt,” he stated firmly.
“Under Article 19(3) of our Constitution, he is presumed to be innocent until we are able to bring him down.”
His comments come amid rising public interest in the OSP’s pursuit of Ofori-Atta, following corruption-related allegations linked to the controversial Electricity Company of Ghana deal and other transactions during his tenure.
The respected scholar warned that such aggressive tactics erode public trust in the legal system and violate basic human rights.
[embedded content]“Why declare him the most wanted fugitive running away from justice?” he asked. “We are making Ken look like a murderous fugitive who has stolen all the assets.”
According to Prof Ansa-Asare, the public statements from the OSP have been premature and prejudicial.
“The Special Prosecutor has outlined five very serious issues, not offences—issues. If there are issues and they are not established offences, there’s a way all of us have to go about it because of the dignity and the fundamental human rights enshrined in the Constitution,” he said.
When asked if the OSP was being too forceful, he didn’t hesitate.
“Yes, I think the state hasn’t approached it in a way that connects with the fundamental human rights and freedoms that are enshrined in our Constitution,” he said.
He stressed that the aggressive public portrayal of Mr. Ofori-Atta has crossed a line.
“Don’t declare anybody the most wanted fugitive in a red alert. When you terrorise an innocent citizen, the end result is that he’s so intimidated he will find it very difficult to come back,” he said.
“Because the moment the plane lands, he will be arrested.”
Pressed by host Evans Mensah on whether he believed Mr. Ofori-Atta was being “terrorised,” Prof Ansa-Asare responded in the affirmative.
“I think so. The long arm of the criminal law is seeking to arrest him. So it is now longer than what we are imagining. We could have gone about it in a much more decent manner.”
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