Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has retained prominent U.S.-based legal counsel to oppose efforts to extradite him to Ghana, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Dr. Dominic Ayine has confirmed.
Dr. Ayine made the disclosure on Thursday, December 18, 2025, during the government’s Accountability Series, shortly after Ghana formally submitted an extradition request to U.S. authorities for both Ofori-Atta and his former Chief of Staff, Ernest Darko Akore.
“I have been informed that Mr. Ofori-Atta has engaged some of the top lawyers in the United States with extensive experience to defend him. I am not concerned. This indicates that there will be proceedings in the Federal Courts in the U.S.,” Dr. Ayine stated.
He explained that extradition cases in the United States are handled through the federal court system, potentially progressing through multiple stages of judicial review, including the District Court, Circuit Court, and ultimately the U.S. Supreme Court.
While acknowledging that the process may be lengthy, Dr. Ayine emphasized that Ghana remains confident in its legal position. “I have formally transmitted a request for the extradition of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and his Chief of Staff, Ernest Darko Akore,” he said.
The case now lies with U.S. authorities, particularly the judiciary, to determine whether sufficient legal grounds exist to extradite the two individuals to Ghana to face trial.
Source: MyNewsGh.com
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