The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has come to the defence of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, rejecting the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s (OSP) declaration that Ofori-Atta is a fugitive.
Henry Nana Boakye, the National Organiser of the NPP addressing journalists in Accra on Thursday, February 14 strongly refuted the OSP’s claim, asserting that Ofori-Atta is not, and will never be, a fugitive.
“Mr. Ofori-Atta can never be a fugitive. He is not a fugitive, and he will never be a fugitive. The OSP got it wrong. He got it wrong. Once Ofori-Atta’s doctors declare him fit and healthy, he will return to the country,” Boakye stated.
Boakye criticised the OSP for making what he described as sensational statements that provoke public emotions and create unnecessary drama.
He emphasised that the matter could have been adequately resolved through proper correspondence.
“Until then, the Special Prosecutor should avoid making sensational statements provoking public emotions and creating drama over a matter that could have been adequately resolved through correspondence,” he added.
The National Organiser expressed concern that labeling Ofori-Atta a fugitive amounts to a national embarrassment, especially given the brief duration of the correspondence between the OSP and Ofori-Atta’s legal team.
“If you label your former finance minister a fugitive, which indeed he is not, it amounts to a national embarrassment when indeed the length of your correspondence is just two weeks, and you can’t wait. It is not as if the person is lost. The person cannot be traced,” Boakye remarked.