OSP Distances Itself from US Immigration Hearing, Insists Ofori-Atta Still Faces Extradition

The Office of the Special Prosecutor has pushed back on media reports suggesting that a US immigration court dismissed criminal charges against former Finance Minister Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta as not credible.

In a statement, the OSP clarified it is not involved in any immigration hearings concerning Mr Ofori-Atta in the United States. Its involvement, the Office said, relates only to extradition proceedings being pursued through the Attorney-General.

The OSP noted that the extradition packet is not before the US immigration court. It stressed that the credibility of the criminal charges against Mr Ofori-Atta will be determined by Ghanaian courts, which have jurisdiction to rule on his guilt or innocence.

This follows reports that Mr Ofori-Atta has been granted permanent residency in the US after an immigration court allegedly found the OSP’s charges not credible. A publication attributed to a law firm in Ghana had made the claim.

The OSP also pointed out that Mr Ofori-Atta remains a Ghanaian citizen and is still subject to extradition if a US extradition court so decides.

Mr Ofori-Atta faces multiple criminal charges in Ghana linked to his tenure as Finance Minister, including alleged financial losses to the state.