The trial of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is expected to resume on Thursday, August 27, 2026, following a unanimous Supreme Court decision upholding the constitutional validity of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) Act, 2017 (Act 959).
The OSP announced the resumption of proceedings in a Facebook post on Monday, August 10, following the Supreme Court’s ruling on the legal challenges surrounding the anti-graft agency’s investigative and prosecutorial powers.
Proceedings in several cases being handled by the OSP had been suspended since April 2026, after a High Court ruling raised questions about the Office’s authority to prosecute cases and whether prior authorisation was required before prosecutions could begin.
Ofori-Atta is facing 28 counts of corruption and corruption-related offences arising from investigations into revenue assurance contracts between Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
The OSP initially charged Ofori-Atta and seven other individuals with 78 counts in November 2025. The charges were later amended, resulting in the former Finance Minister facing 28 counts, while the other accused persons face various charges related to the case.
Those standing trial alongside Ofori-Atta include former GRA Commissioners-General Emmanuel Kofi Nti and Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, former Customs Commissioner Isaac Crentsil, former Customs Commissioner Kwadwo Damoah, SML Chief Executive Officer Evans Adusei, and former Chief of Cabinet to Ofori-Atta, Ernest Darko Akore.
The prosecution alleges that the accused persons were involved in various corruption and corruption-related offences connected to the SML-GRA revenue assurance arrangements.
Meanwhile, Ofori-Atta has secured permanent residency in the United States after a US Immigration Court approved his application for adjustment of status.
His lawyers announced in June 2026 that his Green Card application had been approved following immigration proceedings concerning his stay in the United States and actions taken by Ghanaian authorities.
However, the Office of the Special Prosecutor has rejected suggestions that the US immigration decision affects the merits of the criminal case against Ofori-Atta in Ghana.
The OSP explained that it was not a party to the US immigration proceedings and that its involvement relates to extradition proceedings being pursued through the Attorney-General.
The anti-graft agency also clarified that the extradition packet was not before the US Immigration Court. It therefore cautioned against interpreting findings from the immigration proceedings as a determination of the credibility or otherwise of the criminal charges pending in Ghana.
Despite securing permanent residency in the United States, the OSP maintains that Ofori-Atta remains a Ghanaian citizen and could still be extradited to Ghana should the US extradition court approve the request.
By : Rachael Djabakie