OSP clarifies Ofori-Atta’s legal status, says U.S. Immigration Court Has No Role in Ghana Criminal Case
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has clarified that proceedings before a United States Immigration Court involving former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta do not determine the credibility of criminal charges pending against him in Ghana.
The clarification follows the circulation of a purported transcript of a U.S. immigration hearing by some media outlets, which suggested that Mr. Ofori-Atta had not been credibly charged in Ghana or had not been shown to have engaged in any wrongdoing.
In a statement, the OSP said it is not involved in Mr. Ofori-Atta’s immigration proceedings in the United States, stressing that its involvement relates specifically to extradition proceedings being pursued through the Attorney-General, who serves as Ghana’s central authority.
The OSP explained that the extradition documents are not before the U.S. Immigration Court, adding that the question of whether the criminal charges against Mr. Ofori-Atta are credible is a matter solely for the Ghanaian courts to determine.
According to the Office, there are three separate legal processes involving Mr. Ofori-Atta: U.S. immigration proceedings concerning his immigration status; extradition proceedings that will determine whether he should be surrendered to Ghana; and the criminal prosecution in Ghana over alleged corruption-related offences.
The OSP maintained that Mr. Ofori-Atta remains the subject of criminal proceedings before the High Court in Accra and that a valid warrant of arrest has been issued against him.
It further stated that Mr. Ofori-Atta is considered a fugitive from justice in Ghana and is required to submit himself to the jurisdiction of the High Court to answer the charges against him.
The Special Prosecutor added that the criminal proceedings will continue in accordance with Ghana’s laws and directives of the court, regardless of whether Mr. Ofori-Atta is physically present in Ghana.
By: Bernard Mensah |Planbfmonline.com
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