US Immigration Hearing Has No Bearing On Ofori-Atta’s Prosecution In Ghana- OSP
The Office of the Special Prosecutor has stated that a purported transcript from an Immigration Court in the United States involving former Finance Minister Mr Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta does not affect ongoing criminal proceedings against him in Ghana.
In a public notice issued on Monday, the OSP said it had taken note of the transcript being circulated by some media houses, which suggested that Mr Ofori-Atta had not been credibly charged in Ghana or credibly shown to have engaged in wrongdoing.
The Office reiterated that it is not involved in immigration hearings in the United States and that its role regarding Mr Ofori-Atta relates solely to extradition proceedings being pursued through the Attorney-General.
It stressed that the credibility of the criminal charges against Mr Ofori-Atta is a matter for determination by Ghanaian courts, which have jurisdiction to determine his guilt or innocence, and not by an immigration court in the United States.
The OSP further drew a distinction between three separate legal processes involving Mr Ofori-Atta.
These are the United States immigration proceedings concerning his immigration status, the extradition proceedings in the United States to determine whether he should be surrendered to Ghana under the extradition treaty, and the criminal prosecution in Ghana for corruption and corruption-related offences before the High Court in Accra.
According to the Office, Mr Ofori-Atta remains the subject of criminal proceedings in Ghana and a valid warrant of arrest has been issued by the High Court, Accra.
The OSP said Mr Ofori-Atta is a fugitive from justice in Ghana and is required to submit himself to the jurisdiction of the High Court to answer the charges pending against him.
The Office added that the criminal proceedings in Ghana will continue in accordance with applicable law and the directives of the High Court, Accra, whether or not Mr Ofori-Atta is present in the country.
Click to read more: https://opemsuo.com/author/hajara-fuseini/
