Martin Kpebu has expressed concern about the implications of Ken Ofori-Atta’s continued stay in the United States on ongoing accountability processes in Ghana, particularly investigations by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
The Private legal practitioner criticised explanations previously offered by the OSP regarding delays in prosecuting individuals who are not physically present in the country.
“The OSP came and gave us ridiculous, ludicrous answers,” he said on TV3’s Keypoints. “They said no, you cannot do a trial in absentia. Eleven months!”
He argued that the prolonged absence of individuals under investigation complicates efforts to ensure accountability and weakens the state’s ability to act decisively.
“The fugitives, as described, are not in the country, obviously,” Mr Kpebu said. “So the trial is going to go on.”
According to him, the length of time Mr Ofori-Atta has spent outside Ghana, combined with his ongoing immigration process in the U.S., makes it increasingly difficult to secure his return to face any potential legal proceedings.
“That delay will now make it more difficult to get him back into Ghana to face justice,” he stated.
Mr Kpebu’s comments come amid public debate over whether Ghana’s institutions are adequately prepared to pursue high-profile cases involving individuals who are outside the jurisdiction.
