A private legal practitioner and law expert, Martin Kpebu known for human rights advocacy has elected himself to defend the rights of Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta.
The former Finance Minister who is perceived to have absconded is expected to be extradited from the United States to Ghana to face prosecution over alleged corruption and corruption-related charges.
However, Ghana’s Ambassador to the US, Victor Smith disclosed on TV3’s KeyPoints show on Saturday, January 17, 2026 that he has been informed that Ken Ofori-Atta is apprehensive of how he would be treated upon his return to Ghana hence his reluctance; an assertion which was corroborated by Kofi Bentil who was also a panelist on the show.
In his reaction to this revelation, Martin Kpebu pledged to defend the rights of the former Finance Minister and ensure that he is given the due justice as he has done for others.
He recalled that some months ago when the state took on Kwame Baffoe aka Abronye, the NPP Chairman for the Bono Region over his ridiculous utterances and was maltreated, he and Daniel Domelevo stood up for him though people were not happy he was defending Abronye who had insulted President Mahama, the IGP, and all that others.
“I stood up for Abronye and meanwhile we all know Abronye. Where is Ofori-Atta’s fear? A year ago when Ofori-Atta left, I was against the OSP and what they were doing to him because I argued that the man informed the state agencies he was going for a medical checkup. I defended Ofori-Atta. So you think today if Ofori-Atta comes back and the state keeps him beyond 48 hours, I will not talk for Ofori-Atta?” Kpebu expressed.
The law expert again expressed the view that Ofori-Atta’s apprehension and lack of public goodwill is self inflicted because he absconded.
“Obviously, Ken has brought it upon himself by absconding, he has opened himself so much, so people will throw all manner of abuses at him because whilst he was Finance Minister, he ensured that the current governor of the Bank of Ghana and others were prosecuted over the banking sector debacle,” Kpebu remarked
He also alluded to the alleged confession by the former Attorney-General, Godfred Dame that Ofori-Atta and ex-president Akufo-Addo were on his neck to prosecute and jail Ato Forson so that there would be a by-election in his constituency.
“Because he knows he has done a lot of wrong, that is why he is afraid. Ghana borrows and he makes money and Akufo-Addo’s family becomes rich” Kpebu opined.
In all, there are 78 counts of corruption and corruption-related offences officially slammed on the former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML), and six others by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
Meanwhile, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on its website, has confirmed that Ofori-Atta was being held in an ICE Custody at the Caroline Detention Facility in Virginia, pending a court hearing on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, describing him as an ‘illegal alien’ who has overstayed his permitted period in the United States and may face extradition in the coming days.
“The promise I am making is that if Ofori-Atta comes back, we will make sure he enters court before the 48 hours to get justice,” Kpebu assured.
Ken Ofori-Atta vs the Republic: He should come and face the music – Kpebu
By Samuel Afriyie Owusu
