Private attorney Martin Kpebu has urged the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to take immediate steps to freeze the assets of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta. The call comes amid allegations that Ofori-Atta was involved in irregularities in the contract between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
Kpebu emphasized that any delay in action could give the former minister the opportunity to conceal or transfer ownership of his investments, undermining the protection of state resources. He suggested that legal measures be pursued to secure properties and prevent further financial losses.
The lawyer noted that Ofori-Atta reportedly holds stakes in multiple sectors, including insurance, banking, and real estate. He warned that these assets must be safeguarded while investigations continue. Kpebu also proposed that authorities consider a trial in absentia if the former minister does not present himself in court promptly.
Highlighting the urgency, Kpebu indicated that failure to act by a specific deadline could lead him to petition for the removal of the Special Prosecutor, citing concerns about public confidence in the fight against corruption.
Kpebu criticized the OSP’s current pace, noting that the case has been ongoing since 2023 without decisive measures to secure the assets. He described his effort to freeze properties as part of an initiative to ensure accountability and recover public funds allegedly lost through the SML–GRA agreement.
The attorney further pointed out that investigations revealed SML did not fully perform its contractual duties, with evidence showing malfunctioning equipment and repeated failures to deliver services despite receiving payments. He stressed that all financial losses should be recovered to protect public interest.
