The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyabeng, has informed the High Court in Accra that the Republic of Ghana is waiting for the outcome of extradition proceedings aimed at bringing back former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, to inform the Court of his presence or otherwise.
The SP said two proceedings have commenced this week in the United States of America in respect of the former Finance Minister: extradition proceedings and immigration offences proceedings.
He said the outcome of the proceedings will inform them on how to proceed with the criminal trial of the former minister, who is currently out of the jurisdiction.
Former Finance Minister Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta and seven others have been charged with corruption and corruption-related offences connected to the controversial revenue assurance contracts awarded to Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML), which the state lost over GH¢468M.
In court on Thursday, February 26, 2026, when the pleas of the accused persons physically present were retaken following amendments to some of the counts, the OSP updated the Court on Ken Ofori-Atta and Ernest Darko-Akore, who are both not in court.
“The Court granted the Republic’s prayer for summons to be issued for the service of the Charge Sheet on Ken Ofori-Atta (A1) and Ernest Darko-Akore (A2) in the United States,” Kissi Agyabeng told the High Court in Accra.
“My Lord will also recall that they (A1 and A2) are the subject of an extradition request filed by the Office of the Special Prosecutor with the Attorney General on November 19, 2025.
“The Republic reports that, in respect of Ernest Darko Akore (A2), the Attorney General served an advice from the US Department of Justice on the OSP enquiring about our preference as to whether the Charge Sheet and the summons issued should be served first on Ernest Darko Akore before the institution of extradition proceedings against him in the United States.
“The Republic further reports that the OSP responded by advising the US Department of Justice to employ the most expeditious and judicious process in this regard.”
According to the SP, “as of today (Thursday, February 26, 2026), the summons is yet to be served on A2 (Ernest Darko Akore).
But, in respect of Ken Ofori-Atta (A1), “two proceedings have been instituted against him in the United States,” adding that “He was apprehended by the authorities in the United States on January 6, 2026, and is still in custody.”
Kissi Agyabeng said, “the first proceedings against him are in respect of immigration violations” started in 2026, and “the second proceedings commenced this week in respect of the extradition request.”
The Special Prosecutor said, “the Republic further reports that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised the Attorney General to advise the OSP that the United States Department of Justice has acknowledged receipt of the extradition packet.
Additionally, he said, “in respect of A1 (Ken Ofori-Atta), the Charge Sheet and the summons have been transmitted; in the circumstances, the Republic of Ghana is awaiting the outcome of these two proceedings in respect of A1 and the outcome of extradition proceedings in respect of A2 before the State can advise the court as to their presence or not.”
Plea retaken
On Thursday, February 26, the Court indicated that the state had filed an amended Charge Sheet, and it has not substantially changed the details, but for avoidance of doubt, the Court will take the plea of the affected accused who were affected by the minor changes.
Apart from Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta (A1) and Ernest Darko Akore (A2), the rest of Emmanuel Kofi Nti (A3), Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah (A4), Isaac Crentsil (A5), Col. (Rtd.) Kwadwo Damoah (A6), Evans Adusei (A7), and Strategic Mobilisation, a company (A8), all pleaded not guilty to the fresh allegations.
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Disclosures
Before the Court presided over by Justice Francis Apangabonu Achibonga, a Justice of the Court of Appeal who is sitting as an additional High Court judge, the Special Prosecutor requested time to file additional disclosures.
“We have filed some (disclosures) and are still compiling the others and will take steps to serve those who have not been served with the filed ones,” Kissi Agyabeng told the Court.
The case has been adjourned to March 26, 2026, for a Case Management conference.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
