Ofori-Atta Vs OSP: ‘This Is More Of A Revenge Than Reset’ – Prof. Smart Sarpong
Professor Smart Sarpong, Senior Researcher at the Kumasi Technical University, has slammed the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, over his recent action against the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta who is said to be currently outside Ghana.
The Special Prosecutor has declared Ken Ofori-Atta a “wanted fugitive” despite the latter’s lawyers disclosing his whereabouts.
The Office of Special Prosecutor (OSP) has cited the former Finance Minister in corruption cases including the Ghana Revenue Authority and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML) deal and the construction of the National Cathedral which currently remains a hole despite the alleged spending of $58 million of government money.
Responding to the OSP’s invite, Ofori-Atta’s lawyers wrote a letter indicating he is receiving medical attention in the USA and will make himself available upon his return to Ghana but Kissi Agyebeng doubts the lawyer’s statements, stressing “the purported medical letter transmitted through his lawyers to the OSP does not establish or demonstrate that he is incapable of returning. The OSP remains unconvinced that the letter constitutes a valid medical report proving that Mr Ofori-Atta is so ill or physically incapacitated that returning to Ghana would imperil his life”.
He emphasized; “No serious law enforcement agency, and certainly not the OSP, will be convinced that the purported medical letter prevents it from demanding Mr Ofori-Atta’s physical appearance before it under the described circumstances”, he said at a press conference.
Mr. Agyebeng therefore disclosed during a press conference that the “OSP declares Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori Atta a wanted fugitive. Mr Ofori Atta, you have two choices, you can return to the jurisdiction voluntarily or face the consequences”, “he is a fugitive from justice” and stressed “you can either return to the jurisdiction voluntarily or the OSP will enforce your return”.
Professor Smart Sarpong condemned the move by the Special Prosecutor and the members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) who support the “fugitive” tag on Ken Ofori-Atta.
To him, “this is more of a revenge”, explaining that investigations into Ken Ofori-Atta’s case can be held in his abscence noting “even if he is present, he can decide not to talk and allow his lawyers to talk on his behalf”.
“Let’s learn to at least relax for the law until the law proves somebody guilty beyond all reasonable doubts”, he advised.
Condemning the raid in Ofori-Atta’s private residence, Prof. Sarpong cautioned the NDC saying “let us not abuse the authority that JDM has given to you to perpetuate illegality. It is irrelevant to the country. It defeats your own slogan of reset”.
He gave these comments on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” show.
Source: Ghmessenger.com
