Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has criticized the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) for its delayed action against former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, arguing that some of the alleged infractions should have been investigated much earlier.
His remarks follow the OSP’s recent designation of Ofori-Atta as a suspect in four high-profile corruption investigations, including cases related to the National Cathedral project and Strategic Mobilization Limited (SML).
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, Kpebu dismissed any reason to commend Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng’s efforts, stating that the OSP had sufficient time to act but failed to do so, ultimately allowing Ofori-Atta to leave the country.
“The OSP said January 22 was the first time they sought Ofori-Atta to come and answer. I beg the OSP to clarify this. If that is the case, I am even more upset. I understand that this is a criminal matter, but KPMG had already conducted an audit,” he stated.
“Some of the reasons why he is being wanted are not rocket science. The procurement matters in trying to push and give SML a single-sourced contract, how many years do you need to investigate that? Some of the areas of infractions are not complex, so why did you wait?
“The OSP has to come again and we also have to scrutinise what the office has been doing since day one. We should not get excited that the OSP we instructed that we bring down Ofori-Atta,” he stated.
Mahama not a clearing agent, I’m responsible for all dropped cases – Ayine