Ofori-Atta is still innocent until proven guilty by state - Kofi Amoabeng

Business mogul, Captain Prince Kofi Amoabeng, has defended former Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta, insisting that allegations against him should not be treated as proof of wrongdoing.

Speaking in an interview on JoyNews on Monday, January 19, 2026, Amoabeng highlighted the principle of innocence until proven guilty, stating that he can only be found guilty when the court proves it.

Extradition Battles and Viral Outrage: Personalities that made headlines this week

“Now, if we want to talk about the finance minister, until the state can prove that, yes, he did a few things here and there, which cost the nation something, he's not guilty. The only unfortunate thing is that either he cannot come or he's not coming,” he said.

Amoabeng drew on his own experiences during the collapse of UT Bank, when he faced government investigations but maintained his innocence.

“When UT Bank was collapsed, and they told me that they were going to investigate it, I said, okay, bring it on. And I was advised by people that, if you have to leave, I said, leave for what? I have nothing to fear about the system, and therefore I stayed,” he revealed.

He noted that Ofori-Atta’s absence from Ghana has created speculation, but cautioned against drawing conclusions.

“The only difference is that he decided to leave, or he wasn't well, therefore he left, and I'm not judging. If he had been here, probably he would have been able to clear himself, but staying away then brings people to all sorts of conclusions that you are running away from justice and all those things,” he stated.

“But I honestly don't have any opinion on it. He was like a brother to me, and he's still like a brother to me, and I don't bear him any grudge. I certainly don't hate him. I wish that God would help him and resolve the situation for him. I don't bear grudges. I don't hate people. It eats you up, so I've learned not to do that,” he added.

Meet John Ashcroft: The former US Attorney General 'fighting' to stop Ofori-Atta’s deportation

Meanwhile, Ken Ofori-Atta is set to appear before a court in the United States of America on January 20, 2026, regarding his immigration status.



MAG

One year on: Watch what some Ghanaians are saying about ORAL



Meanwhile, watch as Ghanaians respond to Ofori-Atta's detention