Private legal practitioner and UPSA Law School lecturer, Justice Abdulai, has applauded the Special Prosecutor’s (SP) efforts in the pursuit of former Finance Minister Kenneth Ofori-Atta, but he stressed the need for this level of energy to be extended to all corruption-related cases.
Speaking on Prime News on February 17, Abdulai said, “The inspiration the SP has demonstrated in this case, I would like to see the same amount of energy in any possible prosecution.”
While he expressed hope that Ofori-Atta would face justice, Abdulai emphasized that thorough investigations should be consistent in all cases of corruption.
Abdulai acknowledged the significance of the Ofori-Atta case, given the former minister’s prominent position and proximity to the then-president. “Such persons ought to be used as examples to follow,” he asserted.
Despite this, he cautioned that the pursuit of justice must be balanced and fair.
“Fighting corruption must be fought with all the seriousness it deserves, and no person should be ‘featured with kid gloves,’ not for any reason,” Abdulai remarked, stressing that corruption cases need to be handled with transparency and due process.
However, Abdulai raised concerns about the SP’s drastic move in declaring Ofori-Atta a fugitive.
“I think it is too high-handed, genuinely it could have been handled better,” he said.
He suggested that the SP could have collaborated with international authorities, particularly if Ofori-Atta’s presence was required.
“The least that could have happened is that the SP could have liaised with authorities in that jurisdiction,” Abdulai said, further questioning whether all options had been fully explored before issuing the wanted notice.
