SML seeks judge's disqualification in OSP case against Ofori-Atta, 7 others

Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) has petitioned the High Court to disqualify Her Ladyship Bertha Aniagyei from presiding over the high-profile criminal trial involving former Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta and seven others.

In an application filed on Monday, November 24, 2025, SML’s counsel, Cephas Boyuo, alleged that the judge has a “close relational interest” in the matter, raising concerns about a possible likelihood of bias.

He argued that the principles of a fair hearing demand impartiality, especially in a criminal trial of such magnitude.

Sensitive details of the disqualification request, he noted, would be disclosed in-camera with the court’s permission.

SML has also filed a separate application calling for an investigation into how the case was assigned to Criminal Court

Three.

According to the company, when its lawyers checked the court registry after being informed by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) that the matter would be heard there, they discovered the case had not yet been formally assigned.

Further checks on November 21, 2025, confirmed that the file had still not been transmitted to any court, raising questions about the process.

OSP case against Ken Ofori-Atta, 7 others postponed

SML stated that after it was formally charged by the OSP and informed that the matter would be heard before Criminal Court, Three (CC3), its lawyers visited the court registry to verify the assignment.

They were, however, surprised to discover that, at the time of the visit, the case titled “Republic v Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta” had not yet been assigned to any court.

Further checks conducted on November 21, 2025, confirmed that the case file had still not been transmitted to any court.

SML therefore seeks an inquiry into how the OSP allegedly learned of the supposed allocation of the case to Criminal Court Three.

Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and seven others are standing trial for corruption and corruption-related offences, facing a total of 78 counts. The other accused are:

• Ernest Darko Akore (67), Chef de Cabinet to the Minister of Finance

• Emmanuel Kofi Nti (66), former Commissioner-General of Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA)

• Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah (64), former Commissioner-General of GRA

• Isaac Crentsil (63), former Commissioner of the Customs Division of GRA

• Kwadwo Damoah (65), former Commissioner of the Customs Division of GRA

• Evans Adusei (62), beneficial owner, CEO, and controlling mind of the accused company

• Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML)

Meanwhile, the Office of the Special Prosecutor announced in a social media post on Monday, November 24, 2025, that the case has been adjourned to a later date.



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