Date:February 26, 2026
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has provided a Ghanaian court with new details regarding the ongoing legal processes involving former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and his associate in the United States.
Appearing before an Accra High Court on Wednesday, February 26, the Special Prosecutor outlined the communications between his office and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). According to the OSP, which shared the update on its official X page, the DOJ sought its counsel on the procedural approach for handling Ernest Darko Akore, a dual U.S.-Ghanaian citizen and former aide to Mr. Ofori-Atta.
The query centered on whether U.S. authorities should first arrest Mr. Akore before serving him with a summons, or serve the summons prior to any potential arrest. In response, the OSP recommended that U.S. officials "adopt the most expedient and judicious approach available under their laws."
Regarding Mr. Ofori-Atta himself, the OSP informed the court that the DOJ has confirmed receiving the formal extradition request from Ghana. The court was told that the relevant summons and charge sheet have been transmitted to the former minister. Consequently, Mr. Ofori-Atta is now facing two parallel legal proceedings in the U.S.: one concerning alleged immigration violations and the formal extradition process initiated by Ghana.
The court also took note of developments in the domestic case, specifically regarding Kwadwo Damoah (the sixth accused person). Prosecutors have refiled the charge sheet to accurately include his official title, "Hon Col (Rtd) Kwadwo Damoah," after his application to a previous judge. As a result, the charges were read anew to him in court.
In a separate but related development, Mr. Ofori-Atta remains in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. A recent closed-door immigration hearing resulted in a denial of his request for bail, meaning he will continue to be held at a federal detention facility while his immigration status is being adjudicated.
Mr. Ofori-Atta and nine other individuals are facing more than 70 charges in Ghana, which include causing financial loss to the state, abuse of public office for profit, and entering into financial agreements without the required parliamentary approval.
The case has been adjourned, with the court scheduled to reconvene on March 26, 2026.
