Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is facing deepening legal troubles, as both the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) have declared him a wanted man.
The two state agencies have reportedly launched separate, active investigations into Mr. Ofori-Atta’s financial dealings during his tenure as Finance Minister, signalling an escalation in the scrutiny surrounding his stewardship of the public purse.
This development comes amid ongoing efforts by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to get Mr. Ofori-Atta to answer questions about alleged financial misconduct.
Speaking exclusively to JoyNews, the Deputy Attorney General, Justice Srem-Sai, confirmed that the government has now initiated processes to extradite Mr. Ofori-Atta from abroad, where he is currently believed to be.
“The arrest comes in many forms. You can arrest him and keep him temporarily, but beyond that, there must be a formal extradition process,” Justice Srem-Sai explained.
“So the fact that you are on the Red Notice is not automatic that there is an arrest warrant for which you will be extradited.”
He further clarified that the Office of the Attorney General is leading the coordination of extradition efforts with foreign governments.
“We are currently in the process of taking steps to have him extradited to Ghana,” he stated.
For the extradition to be successful, the Deputy AG stated that the alleged crimes Mr. Ofori-Atta is being investigated for must also be considered crimes in the country where he is located.
“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,” the Deputy Attorney General noted.
“We are in the process with law enforcement in the U.S. to actively look for him,” Justice Srem-Sai confirmed, while noting that other jurisdictions are also under consideration depending on where he is eventually found.
Upon arrival in Ghana, he stated that Mr. Ofori-Atta will be arrested, cautioned, and formally charged, saying that the legal process would then proceed with possible bail considerations and trial.
The former minister was earlier declared wanted by the OSP following months of failed attempts to get him to appear for questioning. With EOCO and NIB now actively involved, the pressure on Ofori-Atta has significantly intensified.
Myjoyonline
