The ongoing criminal trial of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and seven others has been adjourned to April 23, 2026.

The case was adjourned on Thursday, March 26, 2026, after the principal state prosecutor, Adelaide Kobiri-Woode, informed the court that processes to serve the first accused, Ofori-Atta, and the second accused, Ernest Darko Akore, with criminal summonses and charge sheets had not yet been completed.

The court was also informed that the process to extradite Ofori-Atta from the United States to Ghana to face trial had not been finalised.

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“The prosecutor said the case had previously been adjourned for a case management conference to pave the way for the trial to begin; however, with the absence of the two accused persons, the trial could not proceed as planned. She informed the court that the US Department of Justice had requested further information on the case through Mutual Legal Assistance to aid the extradition of Ofori-Atta and that the required information had been duly provided,” the court heard.

The trial judge, Justice Francis Apanga Achibonga, asked whether the state would consider proceeding against the remaining accused while dropping charges against Ofori-Atta and Akore. The prosecution declined, stating that its priority was to serve the accused persons rather than abandon the case against them.

Kobiri-Woode also informed the court that the state had filed three new witness statements, which were submitted only on March 25, 2026, and had not yet been served on the accused.

The court ordered that the witness statements be served.

Justice Achibonga emphasiSed that it was the prosecution’s prerogative to proceed with the case, while the court would ensure that justice is done.

He declined to discharge the third to eighth accused persons but ordered a longer adjournment to April 23, 2026, for a case management conference.

Ofori-Atta and seven others are facing 78 charges related to alleged corruption in the SML revenue assurance contracts, including procurement breaches, financial loss to the state, and conflict of interest.

JKB/MA

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