GRA–SML case is political, not justice-driven – Ofori-Atta’s lawyer

International lawyer Enayat Qasimi says the GRA–SML case against former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is politically motivated, insisting his client is not avoiding accountability.

Mr. Qasimi, who represents former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, has described the ongoing GRA–SML case as politically driven, arguing that due process has been compromised.

In an interview with the BBC shared on December 24, 2025, Qasimi said Ofori-Atta remains willing to comply with Ghanaian law and respond to any legitimate questions relating to his time in office.

“He’s committed to fully complying with the laws of Ghana, and he’s fully committed to answering for anything that he did when he was Finance Minister,” Qasimi said. “There’s absolutely no question about that.”

However, the lawyer questioned whether his client’s legal rights are being respected, suggesting the current approach by authorities undermines basic protections guaranteed under Ghanaian law.

“The question is, is he being given the rights that he’s guaranteed under Ghanaian law?” Qasimi asked. “He’s not. He’s never been.”

Qasimi also criticised the decision to seek an Interpol red notice, arguing that it was unnecessary because Ghanaian authorities were aware of Ofori-Atta’s whereabouts at the time.

“Ofori-Atta was receiving treatment in the US. They knew this all along,” he said. “There was no purpose for issuing the red notice, but they went ahead and issued it.”

The former finance minister is at the centre of an international legal process following Ghana’s request for his extradition from the United States to face corruption-related charges.

The case focuses largely on contracts awarded by the Ghana Revenue Authority to Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML).

Prosecutors allege that more than $1 million was paid to SML without proof of performance and that at least one contract was illegally awarded. They have rejected claims of political persecution, maintaining that the charges are evidence-based.

State authorities also argue that Ofori-Atta failed to cooperate fully with investigators, a claim his legal team disputes.

The extradition request is now before US judicial authorities, who will determine whether the legal threshold for extradition has been met. Until then, the case continues to draw sharp debate in Ghana.