The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has issued a statement to dispel reports suggesting that former Finance Minister Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta has been granted permanent residency in the United States.
According to the reports, a US immigration court had allegedly raised doubts about the validity of criminal charges filed against him in Ghana. The OSP, however, clarified that it is not involved in any immigration proceedings concerning Mr Ofori-Atta.
The office stressed that its mandate is limited to extradition processes being pursued through the Attorney-General, who serves as Ghana’s central authority for international legal cooperation. It further explained that documentation relating to Mr Ofori-Atta’s extradition is not before any US immigration court, and therefore rulings in that jurisdiction cannot be construed as judgments on the credibility of charges filed in Ghana.
The OSP emphasised that questions of criminal responsibility remain strictly within the jurisdiction of Ghana’s courts, which alone are constitutionally empowered to determine guilt or innocence. “The credibility or otherwise of the criminal charges against Mr Ofori-Atta will be determined by the courts in Ghana,” the statement read.
It also noted that Mr Ofori-Atta remains a Ghanaian citizen and subject to extradition proceedings should a US court approve Ghana’s request for his surrender. Immigration-related outcomes in the United States, the OSP added, do not alter his legal standing under Ghanaian law or the ongoing efforts to secure his return for trial.
The clarification comes amid heightened public debate following reports of a possible US immigration ruling linked to his residency status. The OSP reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing all lawful measures under Ghana’s extradition framework and international cooperation agreements.
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