Ghana’s Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, disclosed on Thursday that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has retained prominent legal counsel in the United States to contest an extradition request filed by Ghanaian authorities.
Speaking at the government’s Accountability Series on December 18, Dr. Ayine said Mr. Ofori-Atta, who is the subject of a formal extradition petition submitted to U.S. officials, intends to challenge the proceedings in federal court.
“The person who is the subject of an extradition will fight it in court. I have been informed that Mr. Ofori-Atta has hired some of the top lawyers in the U.S. with extensive experience to defend him,” Dr. Ayine told reporters, adding that the move would not deter Ghana’s efforts.
Extradition cases in the United States are handled through the federal judiciary, a process that can involve multiple stages of review. Dr. Ayine noted that Mr. Ofori-Atta could appeal decisions from a district court to a circuit court and, ultimately, to the U.S. Supreme Court.
While acknowledging that the legal battle could be protracted, the Attorney General expressed confidence in the strength of Ghana’s request. “The final decision now rests with the U.S. judicial system,” he said.
The disclosure underscores the high-profile nature of the case, which has drawn attention both in Ghana and abroad, and signals that the extradition process may extend well beyond initial filings as it moves through the American courts.
