The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) have initiated coordinated actions to extradite former Ghanaian Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta from the United States to address allegations of financial misconduct during his tenure.
This move intensifies legal scrutiny surrounding the former minister, who has been declared wanted following independent investigations by EOCO and NIB into his financial activities.
Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem-Sai confirmed that the Office of the Attorney General is leading the extradition process, working closely with international law enforcement agencies. “We are currently in the process of taking steps to have him extradited to Ghana.
The arrest comes in many forms. You can arrest him and keep him temporarily, but beyond that, there must be a formal extradition process,” he stated during an interview on Joynews.
Justice Srem-Sai elaborated that Ghanaian authorities must submit a formal application to the relevant law enforcement agency in the country where Ofori-Atta is located, believed to be the United States.
For extradition to proceed, the alleged offences must also be recognized as crimes in the U.S.
“We make a formal application to the law enforcement agency in that country. They will place him under arrest, and he will go through extradition proceedings,” he explained.
The Deputy AG noted that while the U.S. is a primary focus, other jurisdictions are also under consideration based on Ofori-Atta’s movements.
Upon successful extradition, Ofori-Atta is expected to be arrested upon arrival in Ghana, cautioned, and formally charged in court, with the possibility of bail as legal proceedings continue.
