Security consultant Richard Kumadoe has sharply criticized the legal team of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, describing their handling of his case as a serious misstep with significant national and international consequences.
Speaking on the Midday News with Beatrice Adu on 3FM 92.7 on June 6, Mr. Kumadoe highlighted the far-reaching implications of being declared a wanted person or fugitive, an outcome he believes could have been avoided if Mr. Ofori-Atta’s lawyers had engaged more strategically with the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
“Risk goes beyond the individual,” Kumadoe warned, stressing that profiling by law enforcement agencies can ripple through a person’s bloodline, business partners, acquaintances, and even distant associations. “These are not things you take lightly… these are things that are going to stay in the database for life,” he said.
He expressed disappointment at the handling of the case by Mr. Ofori-Atta’s legal counsel, arguing that their failure to proactively engage with the OSP contributed to the damaging decision to list the former minister as a fugitive.
“I was thinking they would have met halfway,” Kumadoe said. “Particularly considering the fact that there’s bad blood and confrontation between the OSP’s office and the lawyer. They could have prevented this escalation.”
Kumadoe questioned whether Mr. Ofori-Atta’s lawyers underestimated the seriousness of the Special Prosecutor’s mandate and the institutional power behind it. He noted that the OSP, since its creation, has been under intense public and political scrutiny and is now asserting its independence in high-profile cases.
“They tried to say we passed the law exams before you, and it’s not working,” Kumadoe said pointedly, in reference to criticisms levelled against Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng. “I think all lawyers must tread cautiously and let professionalism be at the forefront.”
On the practical implications of being declared wanted, Kumadoe explained that such a designation triggers red flags across global intelligence and financial systems. From Interpol databases to border control systems and financial institutions, the effects can be devastating.
“Your name pops up all over the web, financial institutions, service providers, border control, everyone gets involved,” he emphasized. “Movement of money, assets, and resources could be a problem.”
He also addressed the argument that Mr. Ofori-Atta’s health challenges, reportedly prostate cancer treatment, may have influenced the delay in compliance. Kumadoe dismissed the justification as insufficient, asserting that illness does not shield one from investigation or prosecution.
“For us investigators, we don’t really care whether you are sick or not,” he said. “You can be tried in absentia, and even when you are dead, you’re dead, but you could be tried. Those are the options available.”
While acknowledging that legal representation involves complex decisions, Kumadoe underscored that the consequences of poor legal strategy in high-stakes matters like this can be irreversible.
“This is not just about Ken Ofori-Atta,” he concluded. “This is about how names, families, and networks are implicated across borders. This is why his lawyers should have done better, much better and chosen the path of engagement, not confrontation.”
As public debate intensifies over the actions of the Special Prosecutor and the responses from the accused, Kumadoe’s comments serve as a cautionary tale on the importance of legal prudence, accountability, and the ripple effect of reputational damage in the digital age.
