The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has dismissed claims circulating in sections of the media suggesting that former Finance Minister Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta has not been credibly charged in Ghana or linked to any wrongdoing, describing the assertions as misleading.
In a public notice issued on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, the OSP said it had taken note of a transcript purportedly from a United States Immigration Court that has been used by some media outlets to suggest Mr. Ofori-Atta faces no credible criminal charges in Ghana.
The OSP stressed that it is not involved in Mr. Ofori-Atta’s immigration proceedings in the United States, explaining that its role is limited to extradition proceedings being pursued through Ghana’s Attorney-General as the central authority.
According to the Special Prosecutor, the extradition request is not before the US Immigration Court, and therefore that court has no jurisdiction to determine the credibility of the criminal charges against Mr. Ofori-Atta. The OSP maintained that only Ghanaian courts have the authority to determine his guilt or innocence.
To address what it described as public misunderstanding, the OSP distinguished three separate legal processes involving the former minister: immigration proceedings in the United States concerning his immigration status; extradition proceedings in the United States to determine whether he should be returned to Ghana under the applicable treaty; and criminal prosecution before the High Court in Accra on corruption and corruption-related charges.
The Office further reiterated that Mr. Ofori-Atta remains the subject of criminal proceedings before the High Court in Accra and that a valid warrant has been issued for his arrest.
It described the former Finance Minister as a fugitive from justice in Ghana and said he is required to submit himself to the jurisdiction of the High Court to answer the charges against him.
The OSP also emphasized that the criminal proceedings in Ghana will continue in accordance with the law and the directives of the High Court, regardless of whether Mr. Ofori-Atta is physically present in the country.
The statement comes amid growing public discussion over the former minister’s legal status following reports on his ongoing immigration case in the United States. The OSP urged the public to distinguish between immigration, extradition and criminal proceedings to avoid misinterpretation of the legal processes.
