Delay in Ofori-Atta extradition risks eroding public trust – Vitus Azeem

Anti-corruption campaigner Vitus Azeem has cautioned that delays in the extradition process involving former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta could erode public confidence in the Attorney-General’s handling of the case.

His concerns come as government efforts to secure the extradition of Mr Ofori-Atta from the United States since 2025 have recorded little visible progress, despite ongoing investigations into alleged financial mismanagement.

Speaking to Citi News on Tuesday June 2, Mr Azeem urged the Attorney-General’s office to provide clear updates on the status of the process or explain any challenges being encountered.

“I think it’s long overdue, and the Attorney-General or the OSP has not come back to Ghanaians to tell them the stage at which they have reached with the process. And that is worrying because people want to have trust and confidence in the process.

“If you delay unduly, you will begin to lose confidence and trust in the system. So I think they need to come back and tell us whether they have encountered some hitches or if it is a normal process in the US,” he added.

The government formally submitted an extradition request to the United States in February 2026 in connection with ongoing investigations into alleged financial infractions involving Mr Ofori-Atta.

The former Finance Minister is facing multiple allegations linked to financial irregularities, including claims that a contract awarded to Strategic Mobilisation Limited resulted in a loss of over GH¢1.4 billion to the state.

He is also under investigation by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), which in June 2025 initiated steps for an INTERPOL Red Notice after he reportedly failed to respond to several invitations for questioning. The notice was later deleted by INTERPOL.

Mr Ofori-Atta, who served under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo between 2017 and 2024, is currently reported to be seeking permanent residency in the United States as legal and diplomatic processes continue.