Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine has confirmed that Ghana has formally initiated extradition proceedings against former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and his former chief of staff, Ernest Dako Akori, following corruption-related charges filed against them.
Addressing a press briefing in Accra, Ayine said the request was transmitted to U.S. authorities after a series of procedural steps involving the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ghana’s International Cooperation Unit. The extradition effort, he said, underscores the government’s commitment to accountability and the rule of law.
Ayine disclosed that his office received a formal request from the OSP on Nov. 19, 2025, to initiate extradition proceedings after charges were filed in Ghana’s High Court. Following an initial review, the Attorney General’s Department requested additional documentation to ensure the request complied with legal and procedural requirements.
That supplementary material was submitted on Dec. 9, 2025, after which the Attorney General said the extradition packages were finalized. On Dec. 10, the completed request was forwarded to the Minister for Foreign Affairs for onward transmission to the United States Department of Justice.
“At this point, it is left to the American judicial authorities to determine whether a sufficient basis exists for the extradition of the two accused persons to Ghana,” Ayine said.
He declined to comment on the substance of the charges, noting that the matter is before the courts. However, he confirmed that the charge sheet, which is publicly available, contains 78 counts against Ofori-Atta and his alleged accomplices, including causing financial loss to the state and using public office for private benefit.
“The important point for Ghanaians to know is that this government is committed to accountability,” Ayine said. “All legally required steps have been taken to bring the accused persons back to Ghana to face justice.”
Responding to questions about timelines, the Attorney General cautioned that extradition is a complex legal process governed by international treaties and judicial scrutiny. He explained that Ghana’s extradition relationship with the United States is anchored in a 1931 treaty, renewed after Ghana’s independence in 1957.
Under the treaty, Ayine said, extradition depends on several principles, including reciprocity, the nature of the alleged offenses and assurances of fair treatment. U.S. courts must be satisfied that the offenses are extraditable, that the request is supported by sufficient evidence and that extradition would not expose the accused to persecution rather than prosecution.
“Extradition is not automatic,” Ayine said. “It must go through court proceedings in the United States, typically starting at the federal district court.”
He added that individuals facing extradition are entitled to challenge the process at multiple levels of the U.S. judicial system, including appellate courts and potentially the U.S. Supreme Court. Ayine acknowledged reports that Ofori-Atta has retained experienced legal counsel in the United States, which could further prolong proceedings.
“I cannot give you a timeframe,” he said. “It could take months or longer, depending on how the courts rule and how far the matter is litigated.”
Despite the uncertainty, Ayine maintained confidence in Ghana’s case and emphasized due process guarantees. He said the government has no intention of treating the former finance minister unfairly if extradited.
“This is his home,” Ayine said. “Under my watch, he will go through due process and be prosecuted like any other person.”
The press briefing also highlighted broader efforts by state institutions, including the Economic and Organized Crime Office, to investigate and recover proceeds of crime, reinforcing what Ayine described as a renewed national push for transparency and justice.
Mr Ofori-Atta and the six others have been implicated for, among others, causing financial loss to the state in a contract signed between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) Ghana