Accra: The Director of Legal Affairs for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Edudzi Tameklo, has announced that the legal situation involving former Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta has escalated from an immigration matter to a more complex legal process. This development follows the Ghanaian government's filing of an extradition request.
According to Ghana Web, Tameklo stated during an interview on Asempa FM's Ekosii Sen that a recent court session in the United States saw a judge ask for Ghana's extradition request in the case. This action, he explained, fundamentally alters the nature of the proceedings, shifting it from a simple immigration issue to a legal matter linked to criminal proceedings.
Tameklo highlighted that Ofori-Atta's legal team had initially informed the Office of the Special Prosecutor that he was in the United States for medical purposes, with a planned return timeline. However, reports that Ofori-Atta sought to change his immigration status have raised questions regarding his intentions.
He addressed concerns of bias against the prosecution, emphasizing that such claims are speculative, especially since the prosecutor was appointed during Ofori-Atta's term as finance minister. Tameklo remarked on the importance of the judge's insistence on reviewing the extradition request, stressing that this development means the case can no longer be viewed solely as an immigration matter. He cited the 1992 Constitution, which mandates that an accused must be tried in their presence, underscoring the case's legal implications.