Source: Africa Publicity
Former President Nana Akufo-Addo has dismissed a media report claiming that he has sought to speak with President John Dramani Mahama concerning former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta’s return to Ghana to stand alleged corruption trial.
In a rejoinder dated Tuesday, December 16, 2025, Mr. Akufo-Addo’s office says the news publication by Ghanaian news outlet, Herald titled “Troubled Akufo-Addo Seeks Mahama’s Audience For Ofori-Atta’s Return” is “utterly false.”
According to the rejoinder, the Herald’s report “is a total fabrication by the supposed source.”
It says “The Office further states that Nana Akufo-Addo has neither contemplated such a consideration nor expressly or impliedly made any such request or representation to President John Dramani Mahama, his agent (s) or assign (s).”
The rejoinder added that “As a firm believer in democratic tenets, Nana Akufo-Addo’s fidelity to the Rule of Law has never been in question.”
It added that “It is true that the fate of Mr. Ofori Atta is of considerable concern to the former President because after all apart from Mr. Ofori Atta being his cousin, more importantly, he was the Minister of Finance in both the governments of his mandate. But that concern does not extend to wanting to interfere with the rule of law. Hopefully this sets the records straight on this matter.”
The rejoinder urged that “The Office also demands that the errand publications reproduce this rejoinder in accordance with the former President’s rights.”
About the trial
A total of seventy-eight corruption charges have been levelled against Mr. Ofori-Atta and seven other accused persons. Those standing trial include Ernest Darko Akore, aged 67, a former Chef de Cabinet at the Ministry of Finance; Emmanuel Kofi Nti, 66, a former Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA); and Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, 64, also a former Commissioner-General of the GRA.
Other accused persons are Isaac Crentsil, 63, a former Commissioner of the Customs Division of the GRA; Kwadwo Damoah, 65, another former Commissioner of the Customs Division; and Evans Adusei, 62, identified as the Chief Executive Officer and principal decision-maker of SML.
The company itself, Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited, previously known as Strategic Mobilisation Enhancement Limited, is also listed as an accused entity.
The charges come after several unsuccessful attempts by the OSP to secure the physical presence of Mr Ofori-Atta, who is reportedly outside the country. The Special Prosecutor has indicated that formal processes have begun to extradite him so that he can stand trial.
The charge sheet revealed that prosecutors believe the accused persons participated in a sophisticated and prolonged scheme involving high-level collusion between senior public officials and SML.
