The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has confirmed that its office, together with the Attorney-General’s Department, is currently awaiting the necessary clearance from the United States of America (U.S.A.) authorities to take custody of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta following his declaration as a fugitive.
According to Samuel Appiah Darko, Director of Strategy, Research, and Communication at the OSP, all legal obligations required from the Ghanaian side have been fulfilled.
“Let me repeat OSP official responses to such questions; extradition is not as portrayed in the movies. It follows a formal legal process. Depending on the circumstances, the process can move quickly or take time,” he stated.
Ken Ofori-Atta declared wanted again for failing to meet June 2 deadline
He further explained that the official extradition request has been submitted through the Attorney-General, who has initiated the appropriate procedures.
“At this stage, the decision rests with the United States authorities. Once their internal legal processes are completed, the OSP and the Attorney-General will be invited to the U.S. to take custody of the individual, as is standard in such matters,” Mr. Darko noted.
Providing perspective, he referenced a similar case involving the FBI, where it took one year and three months for Ghana to complete the legal processes before the individual was handed over for trial in the U.S.
He emphasized that any perceived delays in the extradition process should not be interpreted as obstruction or refusal.
“Extradition is governed by law, not impulse,” he schooled.
Mr. Darko’s remarks were in response to a question posed by a follower on Facebook concerning the status of Ken Ofori-Atta’s case and the extradition process following his designation as a fugitive by the OSP.
