The Office of the Special Prosecutor says former Finance Minister Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta remains liable to extradition to Ghana despite reports that he has secured U.S. lawful permanent residency, insisting the criminal charges will be tested in Ghanaian courts.
In a statement, the OSP said it had taken note of media reports and a publication by a Ghanaian law firm claiming Ofori-Atta was granted permanent residency after a U.S. immigration court found the criminal charges filed by the OSP not credible.
The OSP stated it is not involved in Ofori-Atta’s immigration hearings in the United States. Its role is limited to extradition proceedings through the Attorney-General, who is the central authority.
The OSP said the “extradition packet is not before the immigration court” and that only Ghanaian courts have jurisdiction to determine Ofori-Atta’s guilt or innocence.
“Further, Mr. Ofori-Atta still remains a citizen of Ghana and he is still amenable to be extradited to Ghana if so decided by the extradition court in the United States,” the OSP stated.
Meanwhile, the former Finance Minister has secured what his legal team described as a significant victory in the U.S. after an immigration court approved his application to adjust his immigration status, paving the way for him to obtain lawful permanent residency.
The development adds a new layer to the OSP’s long-running pursuit of Ofori-Atta over allegations related to his tenure at the Finance Ministry.
The OSP maintains that the credibility of the charges will be determined by courts in Ghana, not by U.S. immigration proceedings.
Extradition requests between Ghana and the U.S. are subject to treaty obligations and review by a U.S. extradition court, which must decide if legal requirements are met.
