US immigration ruling does not clear Ofori-Atta of criminal charges, OSP clarifies
via GhanaWeb7 min read
The Office of the Special Prosecutor OSP has responded to comments made by a United States immigration judge regarding its investigation into allegations against former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta. The OSP clarified that it was not involved in the US immigration proceedings and that its role concerns extradition proceedings being pursued through Ghana's Attorney General. The OSP stated that the extradition case is separate from the immigration case before the US court and that the immigration court has no authority to determine the credibility of criminal charges against Ofori-Atta. The OSP outlined three separate legal proceedings involving Ofori-Atta: immigration proceedings in the US, extradition proceedings in the US, and criminal prosecution before the High Court in Accra. The office maintained that Ofori-Atta remains the subject of criminal proceedings in Ghana, a valid warrant of arrest has been issued by the High Court, Accra, and he remains a fugitive from justice in Ghana. The OSP assured that the criminal proceedings in Ghana will continue in accordance with the law and the directives of the High Court, regardless of Ofori-Atta's presence in the country. The US immigration judge, David Gardey, had stated that the court found the affidavit filed by the OSP lacked convincing evidence to support the allegations against Ofori-Atta, and that the OSP failed to demonstrate Ofori-Atta's engagement in criminal activity or personal benefit from his role as Finance Minist
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.
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