Ofori-Atta Criminal Charges Are Ghana's Affair, Not U.S. Court's, Says Prosecutor's Office

Ghana's Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has reiterated that the validity of criminal charges against former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta rests solely with Ghanaian courts, not with immigration courts in the United States. This statement comes after a U.S. immigration court hearing concluded that Ofori-Atta had not been credibly charged in Ghana or shown to have engaged in wrongdoing.

The OSP clarified that it is not involved in immigration hearings and that its engagement pertains to extradition proceedings against Ofori-Atta through Ghana's Attorney-General. "The OSP reiterates that the extradition packet is not before the immigration court. The credibility or otherwise of the criminal charges against Mr Ofori-Atta is a matter for determination by the courts in Ghana, which have jurisdiction to determine his guilt or innocence," the OSP stated.

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The OSP reiterates that the extradition packet is not before the immigration court. The credibility or otherwise of the criminal charges against Mr Ofori-Atta is a matter for determination by the courts in Ghana, which have jurisdiction to determine his guilt or innocence.

Currently, Ofori-Atta is involved in three distinct legal processes. These include U.S. immigration proceedings concerning his status in the United States, extradition proceedings to determine if he should be surrendered to Ghana under an existing treaty, and criminal prosecution in Ghana before the High Court in Accra for corruption and related offenses. The OSP emphasized that a valid arrest warrant has been issued by the High Court in Accra, and Ofori-Atta remains a fugitive from justice in Ghana.

According to the OSP, Ofori-Atta is required to submit himself to the jurisdiction of the High Court in Accra to face the charges. The criminal proceedings in Ghana will continue regardless of his presence. Ofori-Atta was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Washington, D.C., on January 6, 2026, and is currently on $65,000 bail after spending three weeks in custody. He had traveled to the United States on January 4, 2025, for medical treatment.

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Mr Ofori-Atta remains a fugitive from justice in Ghana, and he is required to submit himself before the High Court in Ghana to answer the criminal charges against him.