Ken Ofori-Atta trial set to resume on August 27 after supreme court ruling
The criminal trial of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is expected to resume on Thursday, August 27, 2026.
The development follows a Supreme Court decision that upheld the constitutional validity of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959).
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) announced the new trial date in a Facebook post on Monday, August 10.
The decision clears a major legal issue that had delayed several corruption cases being handled by the anti-corruption agency.
Supreme Court Ruling Clears Legal Hurdle
The Supreme Court’s decision is important because questions had been raised about the powers of the OSP to investigate and prosecute corruption-related offences.
Proceedings in several cases had been put on hold since April 2026 after an earlier High Court decision raised concerns about parts of the OSP’s prosecutorial mandate.
The latest Supreme Court ruling has now upheld the constitutional validity of the law establishing the OSP.
This means the agency’s corruption cases can move forward, subject to the directions of the courts handling the individual cases.
For the Ofori-Atta case, attention will now turn to the resumption of the substantive trial.
Ofori-Atta Faces 28 Charges
Ken Ofori-Atta is facing 28 counts of corruption and corruption-related offences.
The charges are linked to the OSP’s investigation into revenue assurance contracts involving Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
The former Finance Minister was initially charged in November 2025 alongside seven other people.
At the time, the accused persons faced a combined 78 counts.
The charges were later amended.
Following the amendments, Ofori-Atta is facing 28 counts, while the other accused persons face separate charges connected to the wider case.
Other People Facing Charges
Several former officials and executives are also connected to the case.
They include former GRA Commissioners-General Emmanuel Kofi Nti and Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah.
Former Customs Commissioners Isaac Crentsil and Kwadwo Damoah are also before the court.
Other accused persons include SML Chief Executive Officer Evans Adusei and former Chief of Cabinet to Ofori-Atta, Ernest Darko Akore.
The prosecution alleges that the accused persons were involved in corruption and corruption-related offences connected to the SML-GRA revenue assurance arrangements.
The accused persons are entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until a court finds them guilty.
Why the Case Has Attracted Attention
The case has generated significant public interest because it involves revenue assurance contracts between SML and the GRA.
The arrangements have also raised questions about public funds, government contracts and the responsibilities of officials involved in their implementation.
The case is therefore being closely watched as the OSP continues its efforts to prosecute alleged corruption.
The resumption of proceedings could provide a clearer picture of the evidence and arguments that will be presented before the court.
Ofori-Atta’s US Residency
The former Finance Minister’s legal situation has also attracted attention because of his immigration status in the United States.
His lawyers announced in June 2026 that a US Immigration Court had approved his application for adjustment of status.
The approval means Ofori-Atta has secured permanent residency in the United States.
The development has generated public discussion in Ghana because the OSP has been pursuing steps connected to his return to Ghana for the criminal proceedings.
OSP Clarifies US Immigration Decision
The OSP has rejected suggestions that the US immigration decision amounted to a finding on the corruption allegations against Ofori-Atta.
The anti-corruption agency explained that it was not a party to the US immigration proceedings.
It also said its involvement in the United States relates to extradition proceedings being pursued through the Attorney-General.
According to the OSP, the extradition documents were not before the US Immigration Court.
The agency has therefore cautioned against interpreting the immigration decision as a ruling on the credibility of the evidence or allegations in the criminal case in Ghana.
What Happens Next?
With the Supreme Court having upheld the OSP Act, the focus will now shift back to the criminal proceedings.
The Ofori-Atta case is expected to return to court on August 27, 2026.
The proceedings will determine how the prosecution and defence present their respective cases concerning the 28 charges against the former Finance Minister.
The wider case involving the other accused persons is also expected to continue.
For now, the Supreme Court ruling removes one of the major legal obstacles that had delayed the OSP’s corruption prosecutions.
The next major development will be the return of the case to court and the progress of the substantive proceedings.
