Kofi Bentil Questions Seriousness of OSP Charges Against Ken Ofori-Atta

Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, has raised strong concerns about the credibility and seriousness of the charges brought against former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta by Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

Speaking on Key Points, a current affairs programme on TV3, on Saturday, January 17, 2026, the legal practitioner described the prosecution’s approach as excessive and lacking focus.

According to Bentil, the decision to file 78 corruption and corruption-related charges against a single accused person in a high-profile case raises serious questions about prosecutorial judgment. In his view, piling up numerous charges does not strengthen a case but instead weakens its credibility.

“I have said publicly that any prosecutor who charges in a high-profile case like this with over seventy-eight charges is not serious,” Kofi Bentil stated.

“Bad Decisions Are Not Crimes”

Kofi Bentil further argued that poor decision-making in government does not automatically amount to criminal conduct. He emphasized that for corruption charges to stand, prosecutors must prove intent, personal benefit, or financial loss to the state.

“Making bad decisions in government is not a crime unless we can prove that you made decisions to profit yourself corruptly, caused financial loss to the state, or acted with criminal intent,” he explained.

This position echoes a broader concern among governance experts who argue that criminal law should not be used to punish policy errors unless there is clear evidence of corruption or abuse of office.

Call for Trial in Absentia

Reiterating a position he has previously expressed, Kofi Bentil suggested that Ken Ofori-Atta could be charged and tried in absentia, noting that Ghanaian law allows such proceedings. He cited the case of Sedina Tamakloe, a former CEO of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), who was tried and convicted while outside the country.

Kofi Bentil also noted that it is often easier to extradite a convicted person than someone who has not yet been tried or sentenced. In his view, proceeding with the trial could help clarify matters and reduce political tension surrounding the case.

Fear of Persecution, Not Justice

According to Bentil, Ken Ofori-Atta is not avoiding accountability but is instead apprehensive about how he would be treated if he returned to Ghana.

“I know that Ken will love to come back, but he is apprehensive of how he will be treated because of the kinds of things that have been said and done in the past one year,” he said.

This statement feeds into ongoing public debate about due process, political neutrality, and the perceived use of state institutions to settle political scores.

ICE Detention and Possible Extradition

Meanwhile, the legal troubles of the former Finance Minister have taken an international turn. The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has confirmed that Ken Ofori-Atta is currently being held at the Caroline Detention Facility in Virginia.

ICE has described him as an “illegal alien” who allegedly overstayed his permitted duration in the United States. He is expected to appear before a US court on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, following the publication of his detention details on ICE’s official website. Reports suggest that extradition to Ghana is possible in the coming days.

Public Interest and Accountability

The OSP has officially charged Ken Ofori-Atta, Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML), and six other individuals with 78 counts of corruption-related offences. The case has attracted intense public interest, reigniting national conversations about accountability, prosecutorial discretion, and the rule of law.

As the legal process unfolds both in Ghana and the United States, many observers believe the outcome will set a critical precedent for how high-profile corruption cases are handled in Ghana’s democracy.