Why waste time with presser if you’ll charge Ofori-Atta in November? – Frank Davies slams OSP

Lawyer for former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, Frank Davies, has criticised the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) for what he describes as a needless public spectacle following the announcement that his client will be charged in November 2025.

Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Top Story on Thursday (October 30), Mr. Davies questioned the motive behind the OSP’s press conference, arguing that the office should proceed to court if it already intends to prosecute.

“The style the OSP and Attorney-General have adopted, organising pressers to condemn accused persons in the court of public opinion. A trained lawyer’s place is in the courtroom, not standing behind microphones and spewing long and unnecessary English.”

“I mean, even as of now, he [Special Prosecutor] says he is going to charge him [Ofori-Atta] in November. So, why come and waste everybody’s time with this presser? Why come and waste everybody’s time? Is it the first time this OSP is mounting speakers and talking?” Mr. Davies fumed.

The lawyer stressed that under Ghana’s criminal jurisprudence, every accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and that burden rests entirely on the prosecution.

“So coming to narrate and talk long and needless English is a conviction in itself. If he says he’s going to charge him, he should go ahead and stop this gimmicking,” Mr. Davies added.

His comments come after the OSP announced plans to charge former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and several other former government officials by the end of November 2025, following what it described as a comprehensive investigation into alleged corruption and related offences.

At a press briefing on Thursday, October 30, the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, said the probe uncovered serious financial irregularities involving top officials of the Ministry of Finance, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), and individuals linked to Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML).

Those expected to face charges alongside Mr. Ofori-Atta include:

• Ernest Akore, former Chef de Cabinet to the Finance Minister
• Emmanuel Kofi Nti, former Commissioner-General, GRA
• Rev. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, former Commissioner-General, GRA
• Isaac Crentsil, former Customs Commissioner and General Manager, SML
• Kwadwo Damoah, former Customs Commissioner and MP for Jaman South

Mr. Agyebeng indicated that all the named individuals will face corruption and corruption-related charges before the end of next month.

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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.