Ofori-Atta can die, we will arrest his dead body – says NDC Dep. General Secretary

The Deputy Director of Operations at the Presidency and Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC),  Mustapha Gbande, has said even if the unwell  former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta dies in his quest to seek medical attention in the United States, the corpse would be arrested and flown to Ghana to face prosecution.

“Ken Ofori-Atta can die there; his dead body will be arrested and prosecuted to the justice of the people of Ghana” Gbande  noted in response to comments that the recent raid of the private residence of Ken Ofori-Atta by armed National Security operatives at a time he was out of town to seek medical attention was uncalled for.

The Deputy Director of Operations at the Presidency justified the armed invasion and said it was in the interest of the State.

“As for arresting them the game is yet to begin; they should sit and tighten their belts it would be hot, it would be strict, it would be n the interest of the people of Ghana”, Gbande noted in an interview with  GHOne Television on Thursday evening.

“When you go to National Security all the officers there  are either police officers or military officers  and so if for any reason, National Security or any unit of it embarks on an operation with military officers and no one has been harmed, no one has been  beaten,  they’ve not taken anything, what is the hue about it?”, Mustapha Gbande noted.

He continued: “We all do know that Ken Ofori-Atta is not just a fugitive; he is also a very wicked  fellow who have collapsed people’s banks. In the back of it,  used his own company to profit in State transactions. We all know that  he supervised colossal dissipation of the public purse. We know that. Is it strange?

“So if institutions are embarking on  several investigations, the NPP who is the biggest victim of the scandalous  governance of President Akufo-Addo is now being paid  as rented individuals to do PR; it is unfortunate , it is condemnable, and it would not stand. Ken Ofori-Atta can die there; his dead body will be arrested and prosecuted to the justice of the people of Ghana.”

MINORITY CONDEMNS INVASION

The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, yesterday told Parliament that Ken Ofori-Atta, before leaving the country to seek medical attention, officially informed Government therefore it would be unfair to declare him  as “fugitive” while he is on the same trip he sought permission to embark on.

Afenyo-Markin said the military invasion was unnecessary and that even if there was something worthy of investigation, due process ought to have been followed.

“This morning,  I had an extensive engagement with Ken Ofori-Atta. He’s traumatized by the labeling of this adjective [fugitive] described to his person. But he still knows that his God is with him. He is undergoing some medical procedures.

“Within a reasonable time, I’m sure he will come. I will also engage the Office of the Special Prosecutor, engage constructively, and assure him and his office that if there was any miscommunication, I, the leader of the Minority, am assuring him that the man will make himself available.

“He left the country with permission, he would come, and if there’s anything that has to be investigated, he will make himself available”, Afenyo-Markin told Parliament on Thursday February 13

MAJORITY SAYS IT WON’T HAPPEN AGAIN

The Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, speaking on the same matter in Parliament, informed  the House that he has engaged the relevant stakeholders and there would not be a repetition.

“I make this statement on the basis of the commitment of President John Mahama to reset this country, which means that everybody must act in compliance with the law and the mandate of institutions. I have called the relevant stakeholders in this matter to find out exactly what happened,” he said.

“It is true that the private residence of the former Finance Minister was raided by operatives of the military and police, led by someone we believe works at the National Security Coordinator’s Office, his name is Mr. Jakpa.

“We have investigated the matter, and we want to assure our fellow countrymen and our colleagues in this house that we have received assurances from the Office of the National Security Coordinator that this was not intended to happen. The occurrence is most regrettable and unfortunate, and he has given this house his word that such an incident will never happen again”, the Majority Leader gave further details.

He continued: “I have also spoken with the Minister of Interior, who in turn has spoken with his IGP and the Minister of Defence. All have given their assurance to this house that an incident like that will not happen again.”