Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, has stated that Ghana cannot formally request the extradition of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta from the United States until a strong legal case has been established.

According to Dr Ayine, U.S. extradition laws require a comprehensive case docket and formal charges before any request can be processed.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series in Accra on Wednesday, October 22, Dr Ayine addressed reports of tension between his office and the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), clarifying that the Attorney-General’s Department is still awaiting the necessary documentation from the OSP.

“Without the docket, we cannot make a request, so we’re still waiting for it,” he said. “I have read everything said by the Special Prosecutor and his office. I respect his office and its autonomy. But we in the Attorney-General’s Department cannot begin an extradition process with just a letter. We need evidence to proceed. The formal processes have started.”

In January 2025, the OSP named Mr Ofori-Atta as a suspect in several corruption-related investigations, including alleged irregularities in contracts with Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML), expenditures related to the National Cathedral project, and issues involving health and tax refund operations.

Nearly ten months after being declared a “fugitive from justice” in February, Mr Ofori-Atta remains in the United States and has not returned to Ghana voluntarily.

Reports have suggested limited cooperation between the OSP and the Attorney-General’s Department regarding the extradition process. However, Dr Ayine downplayed those claims, emphasising that due legal procedures must be followed before any formal extradition request is made.