The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has filed a stay of execution and a notice of appeal against a High Court ruling directing the Attorney General to take over prosecutions initiated by the Office.

According to a post shared on the OSP’s official X page on April 23, 2026, the application for stay of execution is expected to be heard on May 21, 2026.

The ruling under appeal stated that the OSP must obtain specific authority under its establishing Act before it can initiate prosecutions. In the absence of such authority, the court held that the prosecutions were invalid and directed the Attorney General to take over the cases.

“In court today, the prosecution informed the judge that between the last adjourned date and today, there have been some court proceedings, particularly in General Jurisdiction Ten (GU10) and the Supreme Court, concerning the prosecutorial powers of the Office of the Special Prosecutor,” the post stated.

The application for stay of execution is expected to be heard on May 21, 2026, by the General Jurisdiction Division of the High Court.

Ken Ofori-Atta, seven co-accused face court as high-profile trial opens

Lawyers for the accused persons present agreed to the adjournment request but urged the court to set a reasonable return date to avoid repeated delays.

Meanwhile, Ken Ofori-Atta and his former Chief of Staff, Ernest Akore, remain at large, with extradition proceedings and summons reportedly initiated in the United States.

The court subsequently adjourned the matter to May 26, 2026, pending the outcome of the OSP’s application.

Ken Ofori-Atta, Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML), and six others are standing trial for corruption and corruption-related offences.

See the post below:

Court case update: Republic vs Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta & 7

In court today, Prosecution informed the Judge that between the last adjourned date and today, there have been some Court proceedings particularly in General Jurisdiction Ten (Gu10) and the Supreme Court concerning… pic.twitter.com/GUukCQ8xTW

— Office of the Special Prosecutor-Ghana (@ospghana) April 23, 2026