The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has distanced itself from reports suggesting that a United States immigration court questioned the credibility of criminal charges brought against former Finance Minister Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta.
In a statement issued on Tuesday June 16, 2026, the OSP said it had taken note of media publications and claims attributed to a Ghanaian law firm that Mr. Ofori-Atta had been granted permanent residency in the United States following an immigration court ruling that allegedly found the charges filed against him by the anti-corruption agency not credible.
The OSP, however, stressed that it is not a party to any immigration proceedings involving Mr. Ofori-Atta in the United States and has no involvement in decisions relating to his immigration status.
According to the Special Prosecutor, the agency’s engagement with U.S. authorities is limited to extradition proceedings being pursued through Ghana’s Attorney-General, who serves as the designated central authority in such matters.
The OSP further explained that the extradition request submitted against Mr. Ofori-Atta is separate from any immigration case and is not before the U.S. immigration court.
As a result, it said the immigration court is not the forum responsible for determining the validity or credibility of the criminal charges brought against the former minister.
The agency maintained that any assessment of the charges and the question of Mr. Ofori-Atta’s guilt or innocence fall exclusively within the jurisdiction of Ghanaian courts.
The statement also reiterated that Mr. Ofori-Atta remains a citizen of Ghana and remains subject to extradition proceedings. The OSP noted that he could still be returned to Ghana should the appropriate U.S. extradition court rule in favour of the request.
Source: Mavis Fantevi