The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has moved to clear the air over reports suggesting that former Finance Minister, Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta, has secured permanent residency in the United States and that a US immigration court had questioned the credibility of criminal charges brought against him in Ghana.
In a statement issued on Monday, the OSP said it had become aware of media publications and claims reportedly linked to a Ghanaian law firm indicating that Mr. Ofori-Atta had obtained permanent residency status in the United States. The reports further suggested that proceedings before a US immigration court had cast doubt on the legitimacy of criminal charges filed against the former minister.
The anti-corruption agency, however, stressed that it is not a party to any immigration-related proceedings involving Mr Ofori-Atta in the United States and has no role in matters concerning his residency status abroad.
According to the OSP, its involvement in the case is limited to the extradition process currently being pursued through Ghana’s Attorney-General, who serves as the country’s designated authority for international legal cooperation and extradition matters.
The Office explained that documents relating to Mr Ofori-Atta’s extradition are not before any US immigration court. As a result, it argued that any decisions or observations made in immigration proceedings cannot be interpreted as judgments on the substance of the criminal allegations facing the former Finance Minister in Ghana.
“The credibility or otherwise of the criminal charges against Mr Ofori-Atta will be determined by the courts in Ghana, who have jurisdiction over the matter,” the OSP stated.
The agency further emphasized that determining criminal liability remains exclusively the responsibility of Ghanaian courts, which are constitutionally mandated to hear and decide such cases.
Addressing speculation about the impact of any US immigration ruling, the OSP maintained that Mr Ofori-Atta remains a Ghanaian citizen and is still subject to extradition proceedings should a competent court in the United States approve a request for his transfer to Ghana.
The Office noted that any immigration-related decision taken by US authorities does not alter Mr Ofori-Atta’s legal standing under Ghanaian law, nor does it affect ongoing efforts to secure his return to face prosecution.
The clarification comes amid growing public interest and debate surrounding reports of an alleged immigration ruling in the United States and what it could mean for the legal proceedings involving the former Finance Minister.
The OSP reiterated its commitment to pursuing all lawful avenues available under Ghana’s extradition laws and relevant international cooperation agreements to ensure that the case proceeds through the appropriate legal channels.
Mr Ofori-Atta remains at the center of ongoing investigations and legal actions initiated by the OSP, with the outcome of any criminal proceedings ultimately expected to be determined by the courts in Ghana.
Source:tolonradio.com
