Ofori-Atta, 7 others to be arraigned Nov. 24 over corruption charges

Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) says former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and seven others are expected to appear before court on Monday, 24 November 2025, to answer a total of 78 charges linked to corruption and abuse of office.

In a brief announcement shared on social media, the OSP indicated it will seek court approval to serve charge documents on “fugitives currently outside the jurisdiction,” a reference understood to include Mr Ofori-Atta, who has yet to return to Ghana.

The case ropes in several former senior officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), along with the private company at the centre of the allegations:

Ernest Darko Akore (67) – former Chef de Cabinet to the Finance Minister

Emmanuel Kofi Nti (66) – former Commissioner-General, GRA

Rev. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah (64) – former Commissioner-General, GRA

Isaac Crentsil (63) – former Commissioner, Customs Division

Kwadwo Damoah (65) – former Commissioner, Customs Division

Evans Adusei (62) – CEO and beneficial owner of Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd

Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML) – formerly Strategic Mobilisation Enhancement Ltd

The charges follow months of investigations into SML’s multi-year service contracts with the Finance Ministry and GRA.

According to the charge sheet, the OSP believes the accused persons participated in what it describes as a “criminal enterprise” stretching from 2017 to 2024. The alleged scheme is said to have cost the state more than GHS 1.4 billion through a combination of improper procurement, false representations, and payments for unverified work.

Key pillars of the prosecution’s case include:

Unlawful Procurement

Prosecutors say SML was repeatedly awarded lucrative contracts through single-source arrangements that bypassed approvals from the Public Procurement Authority Board and—where required—Parliament.

Misrepresentation and False Claims

Investigators claim SML secured these contracts by exaggerating its financial capacity, technical competence, and supposed access to proprietary technology it allegedly linked to multinational firm COTECNA S.A.

Payments Without Verification

The OSP alleges that SML was placed on an “automatic payment” system, allowing large sums to be released with no audit trail, performance validation, or evidence of actual service delivery.

Abuse of Office

Several former public officials are accused of manipulating their positions to advance the business interests of SML and its CEO.

Averted Multi-Billion-Dollar Loss

The charge sheet also references an additional upstream petroleum and minerals audit contract, valued at US$2.79 billion, which was halted before payments began. Prosecutors say the agreement posed a substantial financial risk to the state.

Efforts to Secure Ofori-Atta’s Return

The OSP maintains that repeated attempts to secure Mr Ofori-Atta’s physical attendance during investigations have been unsuccessful. Officials say steps are now being taken to initiate extradition proceedings so he can stand trial.

The court appearance scheduled for 24 November is expected to set the tone for what could become one of the most high-profile corruption trials in Ghana’s recent history.