Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta Declared Wanted by EOCO and NIB Amid Mounting Legal Woes
Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is now a formally wanted man, with both the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) designating him as such. This significant development escalates his already substantial legal challenges and signals an intensified scrutiny of his financial activities during his tenure at the Ministry of Finance. The announcements from these two prominent state agencies confirm the initiation of separate, ongoing investigations into Mr. Ofori-Atta’s financial transactions, underscoring the government’s heightened focus on accountability in the management of public funds.
This latest turn of events coincides with persistent efforts by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), which has for some time been pressing Mr. Ofori-Atta to respond to critical inquiries concerning potential financial crimes. The OSP had previously declared him wanted after several months of unsuccessful attempts to secure his appearance for questioning. With EOCO and the NIB now actively involved and launching their own independent probes, the pressure on the former minister has undoubtedly amplified, indicating a coordinated multi-agency approach to his case.
In a significant revelation, the government has now commenced formal procedures to extradite Mr. Ofori-Atta from abroad, where he is currently believed to be located. This was confirmed by Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem-Sai in an interview with JoyNews. Justice Srem-Sai clarified the intricacies of the extradition process, explaining that while an arrest can be temporary, a formal extradition process is required for prolonged custody. He elaborated, “The arrest comes in many forms. You can arrest him and keep him temporarily, but beyond that, there must be a formal extradition process.” He further cautioned that being subject to a “Red Notice” does not automatically trigger an arrest warrant leading to extradition.
The Deputy Attorney General emphasized that the Office of the Attorney General is taking a leading role in coordinating these extradition efforts with relevant international jurisdictions. “We are currently taking steps to have him extradited to Ghana,” he affirmed. For a successful extradition, Justice Srem-Sai explained that the alleged crimes for which Mr. Ofori-Atta is under investigation must also be recognized as criminal offenses in the country where he is found. “We make a formal application to the law enforcement agency in that country. They will place him under arrest, and he will go through extradition proceedings,” myjoyonline.com quoted the Deputy AG as stating.
Providing further insight into the ongoing efforts, Justice Srem-Sai revealed, “We are working with law enforcement in the U.S. to actively locate him,” while adding that other jurisdictions are also being considered, depending on where Mr. Ofori-Atta is ultimately situated. This suggests a broad and persistent search operation across multiple countries to bring him back to Ghana to face legal proceedings.
Upon Mr. Ofori-Atta’s arrival in Ghana, the Deputy Attorney General confirmed that he will be immediately taken into custody, cautioned, and subsequently prosecuted. The legal process will then follow its due course, including a trial and potential considerations for bail, depending on the specific charges and judicial discretion. The combined efforts of the OSP, EOCO, and NIB, coupled with the government’s initiation of extradition procedures, underscore a determined push to ensure accountability for the former Finance Minister’s alleged financial misconduct during his tenure.
Source: http://thepressradio.com
