Kofi Amoabeng on Ken Ofori-Atta's Legal Troubles: Justice Must Run Its Course

Founder and former Chief Executive Officer of the defunct UT Bank, Prince Kofi Amoabeng, says he will not take delight in the legal challenges confronting former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, insisting that justice must be allowed to run its full course and that no one should be condemned without due process. Speaking on the AM Show on Monday, January 19, Capt Amoabeng said that although some people expect him to celebrate the former finance minister’s predicament, he would not even contemplate doing so, stressing that he does not wish ill on anyone. According to him, his long-held position is that institutions must be allowed to function, and where the state believes an individual has committed an offence, the appropriate legal processes should be followed to their logical conclusion. Capt Amoabeng, who has himself faced criminal prosecution following the collapse of UT Bank, lamented the slow pace of justice in Ghana, describing it as unfair and unacceptable. He explained that he has been in court for seven to eight years over criminal charges brought by the state, yet the case has made little progress. “That is not the kind of justice system we want,” he said, adding that prolonged trials punish accused persons without resolution. He maintained that if the state believes Ken Ofori-Atta committed acts that caused financial loss to the nation, the burden rests on the state to prove those allegations in court. “Until the state is able to prove that Ken did certain things that cost the nation, then he is not guilty,” Capt Amoabeng stated. He, however, described as unfortunate the situation where the former finance minister is unable or unwilling to return to the country to respond to the allegations against him, noting that such circumstances often fuel public speculation. Reflecting on his own experience during the UT Bank crisis, Capt Amoabeng recalled that he was informed investigations would be conducted and that he was ready to cooperate fully with the process. He said, despite advice from some quarters to leave the country at the time, he refused. “I told them I would not leave because I had nothing to fear. I believed in the system,” he said. Capt Amoabeng stressed that he does not sit in judgment over Ken Ofori-Atta’s decision to stay away, noting that had the former finance minister been present, he might have had the opportunity to properly clear his name. At the same time, he acknowledged that “staying away from the jurisdiction often leads to public perceptions of running from justice”. He further revealed that they have not remained in contact over the years, disclosing that he has not spoken to Ken Ofori-Atta since the collapse of UT Bank. Despite the controversy, Capt Amoabeng emphasised that he harbours no bitterness or resentment towards the former finance minister. “He was like a brother to me, and he still is a brother,” he said, adding that he bears no grudge and continues to pray for a peaceful resolution of the matter.