Detention alone doesn’t amount to justice — Kpebu on Ofori-Atta case

Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has welcomed the detention of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta in the United States as a positive step toward accountability, but warned that it should not be mistaken for the attainment of justice.

Speaking on Citi Eyewitness News on Thursday, January 8, Kpebu said he felt some initial excitement about the development, but stressed that accountability is a process rather than a single event.

He explained that justice does not begin and end with a conviction, noting that every stage of the legal process contributes to accountability.

Kpebu also pointed to the complexity of the case, citing Ofori-Atta’s substantial investments in the United States as a factor that could complicate efforts to see the process through.

According to him, the former minister’s economic footprint in the US makes the road to full accountability challenging, describing it as far from straightforward.

Despite acknowledging the significance of the detention, Kpebu cautioned against premature celebration, insisting that custody alone does not amount to justice.

He noted that while the detention enhances accountability to some extent, much can still change until Ofori-Atta is formally handed over. Until that point, he said, the outcome remains uncertain and the public should remain restrained.

Background

Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta was detained on January 7 by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over immigration-related issues, according to his legal team.

In a statement issued the same day, Ghanaian law firm Minkah-Premo, Osei-Bonsu, Bruce-Cathline and Partners (MPOBB) clarified that the detention was not linked to any criminal charges but stemmed from questions regarding his immigration status.

The firm explained that Mr Ofori-Atta has a pending application for adjustment of status, a lawful immigration process that allows an individual to remain in the United States beyond the expiration of a visa while an application is being reviewed.

They added that his US-based lawyers are in active discussions with immigration authorities and expressed confidence that the matter would be resolved through established legal procedures. The lawyers also stressed that Mr Ofori-Atta is cooperating fully with officials and urged the public to remain calm, describing the issue as procedural.

The development comes amid broader legal challenges facing the former finance minister. He is among eight individuals reportedly facing 78 counts of alleged corruption linked to the Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) revenue assurance contract with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

The alleged offences include breaches of Section 23(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), and Section 92(2)(b) of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663).