I won’t rejoice over Ofori-Atta’s situation – Kofi Amoabeng

Prince Kofi Amoabeng, founder and former Chief Executive Officer of the now-defunct UT Bank, has said that he will not celebrate the legal challenges facing former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.

Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show, Capt. Amoabeng stressed that justice must take its proper course and that no one should be condemned without due process.

Capt. Amoabeng said that while some might expect him to take delight in Ofori-Atta’s predicament, he has no such intentions. “I won’t rejoice over anyone’s situation, even a former finance minister,” he emphasized, noting that wishing harm on others is inconsistent with his principles. He added that institutions must be allowed to function independently, and if the state believes an individual has committed an offence, the appropriate legal procedures should follow to their logical conclusion.

Reflecting on his own experience, Capt. Amoabeng expressed frustration with Ghana’s slow-moving justice system. Following the collapse of UT Bank, he spent seven to eight years in court over criminal charges, yet the cases made little progress. “That is not the kind of justice system we want,” he said, stressing that prolonged trials often punish the accused without offering resolution and leave reputations in limbo.

Regarding Ofori-Atta, Capt. Amoabeng maintained that guilt can only be established if the state proves wrongdoing. “Until the state proves that Ken did things that cost the nation, he is not guilty,” he said. He further noted that the former minister’s inability or unwillingness to return to Ghana has fueled public speculation, though he refrained from passing judgment.

Drawing from his own UT Bank experience, Capt. Amoabeng recalled fully cooperating with investigations and refusing advice to leave the country. “I told them I would not leave because I had nothing to fear. I believed in the system,” he said. He emphasized that he bears no resentment toward Ofori-Atta, whom he described as “like a brother,” and continues to pray for a peaceful resolution of the matter.

Ken Ofori-Atta, former Finance Minister, is facing prosecution in Ghana over alleged acts that caused financial loss to the state. He is currently detained in the United States under ICE custody and has been unable to return to Ghana to respond to the charges. The case remains under investigation, with the courts yet to determine the next steps.