Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dominic Ayine, has announced that the government has formally initiated extradition proceedings to bring former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta back to Ghana to face trial.
The disclosure was made during a press conference held under the government’s accountability series.
Mr Ayine stated that extradition processes have begun with the objective of returning Mr Ofori-Atta to the jurisdiction of the Ghanaian courts. However, he cautioned that the process is likely to be lengthy and complex, citing the calibre of legal representation assembled by the former minister in the United States.
Get the latest news, updates by joining our WhatsApp channel here: Join on WhatsApp.
According to the Attorney General, Mr Ofori-Atta has retained “some of the top lawyers in the United States of America,” a development that signals a potentially drawn-out legal contest.
He explained that extradition cases in the US often move through multiple layers of the federal court system, from district courts to circuit courts, and may ultimately reach the US Supreme Court.
Given the court’s heavy caseload, estimated at about 4,000 pending matters, Mr Ayine said it would be unrealistic to provide a definite timeline for Mr Ofori-Atta’s return.
“I cannot tell you that he will come tomorrow or the next day,” the Attorney General said, stressing that his comments were intended to be explicit and truthful with the Ghanaian public. Despite the anticipated challenges, he maintained that he was not intimidated by the legal opposition.
The announcement has generated debate over the broader legal and strategic implications of the case. Questions have been raised about how the extradition process will align with an existing case initiated by the Office of the Special Prosecutor, including whether Mr Ofori-Atta would be incorporated into that ongoing trial.
In addressing related concerns, the Attorney General referenced the case of Sedinam Tamakloe, confirming that extradition processes against her, initiated years ago, remain ongoing.
Commentary following the press conference has focused on the Attorney General’s decision to publicly emphasise the strength of Mr Ofori-Atta’s legal team.
Critics have questioned the psychological and strategic impact of such messaging, particularly given Mr Ayine’s own standing as a senior legal practitioner and academic with international credentials.
Others interpret the move by Mr Ofori-Atta to hire top US lawyers as a deliberate attempt to delay or prevent his return to Ghana.
The prospect of a prolonged extradition battle has also revived discussion about alternative legal approaches.
Among the options being raised is the possibility of conducting a trial in absentia, should efforts to secure Mr Ofori-Atta’s physical return face extended delays.
For now, the Attorney General insists that the government is committed to pursuing accountability through the legal process, even as it prepares for what could be a long and complex international legal fight.
