OSP disputes interpretation of US immigration court proceedings involving Ken Ofori-Atta

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) rejected reports on MyJoyOnline suggesting a United States immigration court dismissed its criminal allegations against former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, insisting the account misrepresents both the facts and legal processes involved. A source at the OSP stated the office was not prosecuting Mr. Ofori-Atta before any American court and had no role in his reported detention by US immigration authorities, adding, "The portrayal is inaccurate and risks misleading the public."

The OSP source clarified that Mr. Ofori-Atta's reported detention in the United States was linked solely to his immigration status and not to any action by the anti-corruption agency. The source stated, "Mr. Ofori-Atta was not arrested or detained at the request of the Office of the Special Prosecutor. He was taken into custody by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) pursuant to U.S. immigration laws relating to his immigration status." The source further stressed that the OSP has "neither the legal authority nor the operational capacity to direct or procure immigration detention by U.S. authorities" and emphasized that US immigration proceedings are entirely separate from extradition proceedings and criminal prosecutions.