Ken Ofori-Atta Saga: Eric Addo calls for fairness over political expediency

Researcher and data analyst Eric Addo has waded into the ongoing public discourse surrounding former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, urging Ghanaians and state institutions to prioritise fairness over political expediency.

In a press statement, Eric Addo reflected on the contrasting treatment meted out to public officials in recent high-profile cases. He argued that while political fortunes rise and fall, the integrity of Ghana’s justice system must remain constant.

“The silence around the repatriation of Madam Sedinam Tamakloe and the spectacle around Ken Ofori-Atta raise serious questions about consistency,” Mr Addo wrote. “Ghanaians are watching to see if the rule of law applies equally, regardless of political affiliation.”

He argued that the conduct of the State and the Office of the Special Prosecutor in the Ofori-Atta matter appeared inconsistent with the constitutional principle that presumes an accused person innocent until proven guilty.

According to him, the burden seemed reversed, with the impression created that Mr Ofori-Atta had to return to prove his innocence rather than the State proving its case in court.

Mr Addo further questioned whether political affiliation was influencing how the two cases were being handled. “Is it because Sedinam Tamakloe is associated with the governing NDC party that we have suddenly remembered that even convicted persons have rights and dignity?” he asked.

The researcher also referenced the Supreme Court’s quashing of an arrest warrant for Kelvin Taylor in the past, saying episodes like that have fuelled public perception that legal outcomes can be influenced by political circumstances.

Citing George Orwell’s Animal Farm, Addo warned: “We are all equal before the law, but some are more equal than others. The contrasting treatment of Sedinam Tamakloe and Ken Ofori-Atta brings that concern into sharp focus.”

Eric Addo’s comments come amid renewed public debate over how state agencies handle investigations and prosecutions involving politically exposed persons.

He stressed that selective justice erodes public trust and weakens confidence in institutions mandated to uphold the law.

Legal analysts say the call for equal treatment resonates with Article 296 of the 1992 Constitution, which requires discretionary power to be exercised fairly and without bias.

As the Ken Ofori-Atta case continues to unfold, Mr Addo’s reminder serves as a caution to those in authority: today’s power holders may be tomorrow’s subjects, but the standard of justice must not change.