BY Daniel Bampoe
The International Police Organization (INTERPOL) has quietly removed from its public website the Red Notice earlier issued against former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, following weeks of controversy over the legitimacy of the request submitted by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
The Red Notice—which functions as an international alert to locate and provisionally arrest a wanted person pending extradition—was issued on June 5, 2025, at the request of the OSP.
At the time, Ofori-Atta had not been charged with any crime in Ghana, even though the OSP had declared him a “fugitive” and claimed he was avoiding invitations to assist with an investigation into the Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) contracts.
Dispute
The tension between Ofori-Atta and the OSP dates back nearly a year. Since late 2024, the OSP has repeatedly accused the former minister of refusing to appear before investigators, holding several press conferences and releasing public statements portraying him as a fugitive.
Despite the publicity campaign, the OSP did not file any formal charges until November 18, 2025—more than 11 months after investigations began.
During this period, lawyers for Ofori-Atta insisted that their client was neither hiding nor evading any summons.
They argued that the OSP’s application for an INTERPOL Red Notice was procedurally unlawful, because INTERPOL rules prohibit issuing a red alert against a person who has not been charged or convicted.
INTERPOL Intervenes After Complaint
According to correspondence cited by persons close to the former minister, Ofori-Atta’s legal team petitioned INTERPOL’s Commission for the Control of Files (CCF), accusing the OSP of breaching international rules governing criminal data submissions.
They argued that the OSP provided misleading information to trigger the Red Notice.
INTERPOL, after reviewing the circumstances surrounding the request, removed Ofori-Atta’s profile from its website once Ghana officially filed charges against him on November 18.
The removal is being interpreted by the former minister’s associates as evidence that the OSP’s earlier request was irregular.
A spokesperson for the Ofori-Atta family welcomed the development, saying: “We are pleased that the matter will now move from the court of public opinion to an actual courtroom where evidence—not headlines—is king.”
They criticised the OSP for what they described as a “media-driven persecution”, accusing the Special Prosecutor of prioritising press briefings over due process.
OSP Responds: Proceedings Still Ongoing
However, the OSP has refuted suggestions that INTERPOL’s removal of the alert amounts to vindication for Mr. Ofori-Atta.
In an official public notice dated 19 November 2025, the OSP explained that INTERPOL often redacts or hides the details of individuals during ongoing CCF proceedings. The OSP stated that:
In October 2025, INTERPOL’s CCF notified Ghana that Ofori-Atta had applied for removal of the Red Notice.
The Ghanaian authorities responded on 22 October 2025.
On 7 November 2025, INTERPOL informed Ghana that Ofori-Atta had filed additional arguments, prompting a further request for Ghana to reply by 21 November 2025.
The case is still under review, and no final determination has been made.
The OSP urged the public to “disregard all publications to the contrary as borne of mischief and misinformation.”
OSP vs. Political Heavyweights
The controversy adds another chapter to the increasingly contentious relationship between the OSP and high-ranking political figures.
The Red Notice saga is now intertwined with the larger criminal case involving alleged procurement irregularities and financial losses linked to the SML revenue assurance contracts.
While charges have finally been filed, analysts note that the OSP’s aggressive public approach—combined with the apparent missteps over the Red Notice—could influence both domestic perceptions and international cooperation as the case proceeds.
For now, INTERPOL’s public-facing page no longer displays Ken Ofori-Atta’s details, and both sides are preparing for a court battle that is expected to be among the most closely watched legal proceedings in the country’s recent history.
