The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has clarified the current status of investigations and extradition processes involving former Finance Minister, Kenneth Ofori-Atta, who has been accused of corruption-related offences.
In a press statement, the OSP said it has taken note of public discussions sparked by remarks from the Deputy Attorney General, who claimed the OSP had failed to respond to letters requesting the docket for Ofori-Atta’s extradition.
The OSP described the assertion as misleading and provided a detailed account of the steps it has already taken.
According to the statement, the OSP initiated investigations into alleged acts of corruption involving Mr. Ofori-Atta, who was duly notified and directed to appear before investigators.
However, the former minister reportedly left Ghana in January 2025 and has since been residing in the United States, refusing to return voluntarily.
Following his departure, the OSP obtained a judicial warrant for his arrest in May 2025, declared him a fugitive from justice, and placed his name on its List of Wanted Persons.
The Office also defended several legal challenges filed by Mr. Ofori-Atta in an attempt to have his name removed from the list.
In June 2025, the OSP successfully placed Mr. Ofori-Atta on INTERPOL’s Red Notice, paving the way for global enforcement action.
The office also formally initiated extradition proceedings through the Chief of Staff at the Presidency, who forwarded the request to the Attorney General on June 3, 2025.
The Attorney General acknowledged receipt of the extradition request on June 13, 2025, and requested the inclusion of two OSP officers in the prosecution team, as well as access to the case docket.
The OSP, in a June 20, 2025, response, provided the names of its nominated officers and explained that the docket was being finalized as part of its ongoing work.
The OSP emphasized that it remains committed to due process and transparency while ensuring that its investigations and personnel are protected from security breaches and misinformation.
