Former Special Prosecutor, Martin A.B.K. Amidu, has launched a blistering critique of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), accusing it of actin
Former Special Prosecutor, Martin A.B.K. Amidu, has launched a blistering critique of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), accusing it of acting under direct government orders in what he describes as a coordinated political campaign to discredit former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta in the court of public opinion rather than through due legal process.
In a lengthy statement dated June 23, 2025, Amidu argues that recent events surrounding the public declaration of Ofori-Atta as a fugitive, the issuance of an INTERPOL Red Notice, and the raid on his private residence were not independent law enforcement actions, but rather parts of a deliberate strategy sanctioned at the highest levels of government, including the Presidency and the Attorney-General’s Department.
Raid of Ofori-Atta’s House
According to Martin Amidu, the search of Ofori-Atta’s residence in Accra on February 10, 2025, by operatives of the National Security Secretariat (NSS) — while the former minister was in the United States for medical treatment — was not an isolated investigative action. Instead, he claims it was a premeditated “Gestapo-style” operation meant to publicly humiliate Ofori-Atta.
The operation was followed two days later, on February 12, by a media conference where Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng publicly declared Ofori-Atta a fugitive from justice.
Martin Amidu alleges this was done to deliberately sway public opinion and paint the former Finance Minister as guilty, long before any evidence had been presented in court.
Government Involvement Revealed
Martin Amidu points to an interview granted by Deputy Attorney-General, Justice Srem-Sai, to Joy News on June 11, as the smoking gun that exposed the government’s direct involvement.
In the interview, Srem-Sai confirmed that the search and related investigations were conducted with the support of the National Security Secretariat and under court order.
This, Martin Amidu says, debunks earlier assertions by the Special Prosecutor that his office was acting independently, and instead reveals a coordinated government strategy aimed at political retribution.
“The cat is now out of the bag,” Amidu wrote. “The veil of independence repeatedly claimed by the OSP has been torn apart by the government itself.”
INTERPOL Red Notice and Extradition Questions
The statement also raises constitutional and legal concerns about the INTERPOL Red Notice issued for Ofori-Atta’s arrest on June 5, 2025.
Martin Amidu argues that the OSP lacks the authority to make formal extradition requests to the United States. Under Ghana’s bilateral treaty with the US, such a request must come from the designated authority — typically the Ministry of Justice.
He also criticizes the government’s public narrative suggesting Ofori-Atta could be extradited for a range of offences, when the Red Notice is based solely on the charge of “abuse of public office for profit.”
“This creates a false impression that he is being pursued for financial or procurement crimes,” Amidu said, “when in fact the Red Notice does not cover those offences.”
Media Trial
Martin Amidu says that the handling of the investigation — particularly the use of press briefings, public declarations, and the Red Notice — amounts to a trial in the media, violating Ofori-Atta’s constitutional right to the presumption of innocence and a fair trial before a court of law.
He warns that such media-driven tactics, common under the previous NPP administration and now allegedly adopted by the NDC government, could permanently damage Ghana’s justice system.
“The Constitution frowns upon using the media to find a citizen of Ghana guilty in the court of public opinion,” he stated.
“This is political persecution masquerading as criminal prosecution.”
Call for Due Process
Amidu, who resigned from his post as Ghana’s first Special Prosecutor in 2020 citing political interference, called on the government to rise above partisanship and focus on prosecuting cases based on credible evidence rather than public spectacle.
He urged the OSP and government agencies to stop pursuing Ken Ofori-Atta in the media and instead allow due process to take its course, warning that the current approach undermines the rule of law and sets a dangerous precedent for future administrations.
“Let the strength of your case be tested in court, not in carefully choreographed press conferences,” Amidu challenged.
However, as Ken Ofori-Atta continues to receive medical care abroad, his legal team has yet to publicly respond to the government’s extradition efforts.
Meanwhile, Martin Amidu’s detailed commentary has reignited the debate about the role of politics in the criminal justice system and whether prosecutorial independence still exists in practice.
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