The criminal trial of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and seven others on alleged corruption-related charges has been adjourned to Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The adjournment follows the prosecution’s disclosure that criminal summons and charge sheets for Ofori-Atta and the second accused, Ernest Darko Akore, have not yet been served. Additionally, efforts to extradite Ofori-Atta from the United States remain incomplete.
The other accused—Emmanuel Kofi Nti, Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, Isaac Crentsil, Kwadwo Damoah, Evans Adusei, and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML)—were present in court. The prosecution had filed three new witness statements on March 25, which were ordered by the court to be served on all accused persons.
Addressing the court, defence lawyer Professor Kwame Gyan urged that the six present accused be discharged or given a longer adjournment, citing the indefinite delays and their consistent compliance with court orders. He argued that repeated court appearances could take a toll on the accused while allowing the prosecution time to prepare its case. Another defence counsel, Addo Atuah, highlighted the financial burden on the retired accused.
The prosecution, however, opposed discharging the accused, stressing the need to expedite ongoing processes.
Justice Francis Apanga Achibonga ruled that discharging the third to eighth accused was not warranted, but set a longer adjournment for April 23, 2026, for a Case Management Conference to advance the proceedings.
