Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng has strongly denied allegations that his office orchestrated a raid on the Cantonments residence of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, asserting that the incident was a calculated attempt to tarnish the reputation of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, Agyebeng labeled the reports as false and misleading. He revealed that intelligence gathered by his office indicates that the purported raid was staged to sow mistrust and discredit the OSP’s ongoing efforts to combat corruption and economic crimes.
The controversy began on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, when reports surfaced that a group of armed individuals, some dressed in police and military uniforms, allegedly stormed Ofori-Atta’s residence in Cantonments. According to eyewitness accounts, about 12 individuals, including some in plainclothes, forcefully entered the premises, claiming to conduct a search. However, they reportedly failed to present a search or arrest warrant, raising concerns about the legality of their actions.
Notably, Ken Ofori-Atta was not at home during the incident, as he was reportedly undergoing a scheduled medical check-up at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, USA. Eyewitnesses, including a lawyer present at the scene, stated that the intruders ignored repeated explanations that Ofori-Atta and his wife were out of the country. The group allegedly ransacked the property before leaving.
The incident has since ignited widespread public outrage, with Ofori-Atta’s family accusing the OSP of being behind the raid. They described the act as a flagrant abuse of power and a violation of the former minister’s rights.
Responding to these accusations, Agyebeng categorically denied any involvement of his office. “The OSP did not authorize or carry out any operation at the residence of Mr. Ofori-Atta. Our office operates within the bounds of the law and with the utmost transparency,” he stated.
Agyebeng further suggested that the entire episode was a deliberate and coordinated attempt to undermine the OSP’s credibility. “We have reason to believe that this incident was staged to discredit our work and derail our mission to uphold justice and accountability in public office,” he said.
The Special Prosecutor reassured the public of the OSP’s commitment to conducting its mandate without fear or favor. He also called on security agencies to thoroughly investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to book.
The staged raid controversy adds to the growing political tensions surrounding Ofori-Atta, who has faced intense scrutiny in recent years over allegations of financial mismanagement and corruption during his tenure as Finance Minister. This development has further intensified debates about the independence and integrity of Ghana’s anti-corruption institutions.
As investigations continue, Ghanaians await clarity on who was behind the raid and their motivations, with many calling for swift action to prevent such incidents from undermining public trust in critical state institutions.
Story by: Mercy Addai Turkson #ahotoronline.com
