Former Principal Lecturer at GIMPA and Private Legal Practitioner, Dr. Josiah A.M. Cobbah, has emphasized that all individuals, including former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta are equal before the law.
Speaking on TV3’s ‘Newsday Big Issue’ on Tuesday, June 3, Dr. Cobbah urged Ofori-Atta to comply with the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s (OSP) request for questioning.
His remarks followed the declaration by Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng, who issued an INTERPOL Red Notice for Ofori-Atta after the former minister failed to present himself for interrogation regarding alleged corruption-related matters.
“In court we are all equal before the law, that’s what Ofori-Atta and his lawyers have to understand. There isn’t one law for our drivers and village folks and another law for the big men in Accra. We are all equal before the law,” Cobbah asserted.
Dr. Cobbah further stated that suspects do not have the authority to dictate the manner in which investigations should be conducted, though they may offer suggestions. Ultimately, he said, it is up to law enforcement agencies to determine how they proceed.
“A suspect does not get to decide how they should be investigated. You cannot dictate to law enforcement how they should handle the process, you can suggest, but they make the final determination,” he explained.
Dr. Cobbah also criticized Ofori-Atta, suggesting that he has not been fair to Ghanaians. “For me, we are all equal before the law and he should just come and face the charges and issues that are being investigated. I agree he has not been fair to the Special Prosecutor and to the people of Ghana. You knew since March that you weren’t going to have the surgery,” he said.
On February 18, 2025, Ofori-Atta’s lawyers informed the OSP that he would only be available for questioning on June 2, 2025, due to scheduled medical treatment abroad between May 4 and May 30.
The OSP accepted this arrangement, but on May 28, Ofori-Atta’s legal team notified the office that he had been diagnosed with cancer and would not be able to meet the June 2 deadline. The former minister then requested a video-recorded interview for the purpose of giving his caution statement.
However, the OSP denied this request, insisting that he must appear in person. Following Ofori-Atta’s failure to comply, the Special Prosecutor announced that the office would proceed with prosecution, even if he remains absent.
