OSP: We’re not involved in Ofori-Atta’s U.S. Green Card case, extradition request still stands

● Ghana’s anti-corruption agency says U.S. immigration ruling has no bearing on criminal charges in Accra

Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor [OSP] has distanced itself from U.S. immigration proceedings involving fugitive former Finance Minister Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta, insisting it has no role in his reported grant of permanent residency and that extradition efforts remain active.

In a statement Tuesday, the OSP said media reports suggesting a U.S. court had dismissed the credibility of Ghana’s criminal charges against Ofori-Atta were misleading.

“The Office of the Special Prosecutor is not involved in immigration hearings in the United States involving Mr. Ofori-Atta. The OSP’s involvement is in respect of extradition proceedings against Mr. Ofori-Atta through the Attorney-General as the central authority,” the agency said.

—What the OSP said—

The clarification follows claims by a Ghanaian law firm that a U.S. immigration court had questioned the credibility of corruption charges filed against the ex-minister in Ghana.

The OSP stressed three key points:
1. No jurisdiction: Extradition documents are not before any U.S. immigration court. Immigration and criminal extradition are separate legal tracks.
2. Ghanaian courts decide: “Any determination on the credibility of the criminal charges against Mr. Ofori-Atta rests solely with Ghanaian courts, which have jurisdiction over the matter.”
3. Citizenship and extradition still apply: Ofori-Atta, 66, remains a Ghanaian citizen and is “still subject to extradition proceedings should a competent court in the United States approve such a request.”

—Ofori-Atta’s lawyers claim green card granted—

Earlier report had said that a U.S. immigration court granted Ofori-Atta permanent residency based on a statement from his legal team, Minkah-Premo, Osei-Bonsu, Bruce-Cathline & Partners. The statement was signed June 16, 2026 by Justice Kusi-Minkah Premo.

His lawyers said: “Ken Ofori-Atta’s Green card I-485 petition has been granted by U.S. Immigration Court.”

They added the court considered OSP’s 2025 declaration that he was a fugitive while receiving medical treatment in the U.S., and found Ghana’s criminal charges “not credible” within the context of immigration law.

“The Court finds the criminal charges in Ghana not credible. However, the court’s ruling was made within the context of United States immigration proceedings. The court’s decision was focused on whether Mr Ofori-Atta met the legal requirements for adjustment of status,” the lawyers stated.

Ofori-Atta’s team said he was arrested by U.S. immigration authorities in January 2026 over “the status of his current stay,” not his Ghana case. He has been in the U.S. since January 2025 for prostate cancer treatment, including surgery.

–Background: Fugitive status and charges—

Ofori-Atta, who served as Finance Minister under President Akufo-Addo, was declared a fugitive by Ghanaian authorities in February 2025 after failing to honour OSP summons.

He was formally charged with corruption in November 2025.

The OSP has since pursued extradition through Ghana’s Attorney-General. The agency maintains that U.S. immigration law cannot determine guilt or innocence on Ghanaian criminal charges.

—Bottom line—

Ofori-Atta may have secured U.S. permanent residency, but Ghana’s anti-corruption agency says that does not close the case. Extradition remains the OSP’s focus, and only Ghanaian courts can rule on the corruption charges he faces.

[Rewritten report sourced from SaharaReporters]