The Manhyia South MP says the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) is allowing former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and his legal team to take control of the ongoing investigation.

Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, speaking on PM Express on Joy News, said the OSP must reassess its strategy.

He believes the current approach shows too much dependence on Ken’s cooperation. And that has handed the initiative to the very people under investigation.

“So it seems that Ken and his lawyers have been dictating the pace,” he said bluntly. “You are an investigative body.”

Baffour Awuah said the OSP must not allow itself to be outmanoeuvred.

“There are times when investigating bodies pretend to tag along,” he said.

“And not show force, not show authority necessarily. They can pretend to tag along. Before you realise, they’ve hanged you on a gallows.”

He added that the OSP should not be dancing to the tune of those being investigated.

“Even if you want to arrest him, bait him,” he said. “There is a proverb in Twi which translates that if a dishonest person wants to race with you, tell him to take the lead.”

The MP stressed that the law gives the OSP tools to act without needing Ken Ofori-Atta’s presence.

“When you look at Act 30, they don’t need his arrest before proceeding against him,” he said. “They don’t need his presence before arresting him.”

He questioned why the OSP appears stuck.

“If the presence of Ken Ofori-Atta is necessary for determining a prima facie case in the whole investigation, then clearly the case of the OSP is weak,” he said.

“Because it would seem that without Ken's input, they cannot proceed.”

He reminded the public that the former minister has a constitutional right not to incriminate himself.

“Don’t forget, Ken has a right to remain silent,” he said. “So what if you arrest him and he says he will not talk? Is it the case that then you cannot proceed?”

He said the OSP’s tactics must be revised. “I think the approach ought to vary,” he said. “The current path may not serve the public interest.”

To Baffour Awuah, the real danger is letting the suspect set the rules.