The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has issued a public notice clarifying its position on legal proceedings involving Mr. Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori‑Atta, following reports circulating in the media about a transcript from a United States immigration court.
The OSP stressed that immigration hearings in the U.S. do not determine the credibility of criminal charges pending against Mr. Ofori‑Atta in Ghana. It explained that its involvement relates strictly to extradition proceedings through the Attorney‑General, not immigration matters.
The notice outlined three distinct processes:
- U.S. immigration proceedings, which concern Mr. Ofori‑Atta’s residency status.
- Extradition proceedings in the U.S., which would decide whether he should be surrendered to Ghana under treaty obligations.
- Criminal prosecution in Ghana, where he faces corruption and corruption‑related charges before the High Court in Accra.
The OSP reaffirmed that Mr. Ofori‑Atta remains the subject of criminal proceedings in Ghana, with a valid warrant of arrest issued by the High Court. He is described as a fugitive from justice and is required to submit himself to the jurisdiction of the court to answer the charges.
The statement emphasized that the criminal case in Ghana will proceed in accordance with law and the directives of the High Court, whether or not Mr. Ofori‑Atta is physically present in the country.
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