By: Nana Karikari, Senior Global Affairs Correspondent
The United States government has assured Ghana it will not obstruct the extradition of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and former Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) CEO Sedina Tamakloe Attionu.
Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced the commitment following bilateral discussions aimed at strengthening legal cooperation. The assurance comes as both individuals face significant legal challenges tied to corruption and financial misconduct under the new administration’s “Operation Recover All Loot” (ORAL) initiative.
Detention of Ken Ofori-Atta
Ofori-Atta was detained in the United States on January 6, 2026, amid Ghana’s formal extradition request relating to 78 counts of corruption and procurement charges filed by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) records, Ofori-Atta is currently held at the Caroline Detention Facility in Virginia. He remains in ICE custody while legal proceedings assessing his immigration status and the extradition request continue. Ghanaian officials confirmed that Ofori-Atta declined consular assistance from the Ghana Embassy on January 10 while awaiting a scheduled court hearing on January 20.
Diplomatic Assurances and Cooperation
During the bilateral meeting in Accra with acting U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Rolf Olson, and his team, Mr. Ablakwa said the United States Government had made clear that its cooperation on these matters would not prejudice judicial processes or block Ghana’s efforts.
“The United States Government has assured that, without prejudice to judicial processes, it will not stand in the way of Ghana as regards the removal of Ken Ofori-Atta and Sedina Tamakloe Attionu,” Ablakwa said. The Minister’s remarks have been interpreted by many as an indication that the extradition of both suspects is now imminent.
Defense Pushback on Extradition Timeline
Ofori-Atta’s legal team, led by Frank Davies and supported by a former U.S. Attorney General, has strongly denied the allegations, describing the case as an “aggressive pursuit of a person, not the crime.” His lawyers recently filed a formal court challenge to his custody, arguing that his detention is a “procedural anomaly” given his pending petition for adjustment of status.
They maintain that the former minister is a “law-abiding citizen” who is currently seeking to resolve his immigration standing while recovering from complex medical treatments. Medical records provided by his family confirm he underwent prostate cancer surgery on June 13, 2025, and remains under active post-operative observation. U.S.-based immigration lawyer Jonelle Ocloo expects the legal team to vigorously challenge the extradition request, noting that the involvement of high-level federal agencies and former top-tier U.S. officials indicates a “fierce contest” ahead. Ocloo emphasized that U.S. judicial cooperation “does not override the independence of the judiciary,” particularly when a case involves such significant diplomatic and legal complexities.
The Distinction Between Deportation and Extradition
Ms. Ocloo has clarified that Ofori-Atta’s current detention is primarily linked to his immigration status rather than the criminal allegations in Ghana. Following the revocation of his visa in late 2025, Ofori-Atta was picked up by ICE for violating immigration laws—a civil process distinct from the criminal extradition request.
“Deportation is a civil process. It has nothing to do with criminal charges,” Ms. Ocloo explained. She noted that while deportation can occur if an individual lacks a legal basis to remain in the U.S., extradition is a “far more complex process” requiring a U.S. federal judge to determine if there is probable cause for the charges brought by Ghana.
The Government’s Accusations
The OSP has filed charges against Ofori-Atta including conspiracy to commit procurement fraud and causing financial loss to the state. These charges stem from contracts with Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) and the National Cathedral project. Attorney General Dr. Dominic Ayine emphasized that the U.S. State Department’s revocation of Ofori-Atta’s visa in late 2025—rather than a standard overstay—was the primary trigger for the federal enforcement action.
Status of Sedina Tamakloe Attionu
Sedina Tamakloe Attionu was convicted in 2024 of causing financial loss to the state and sentenced in absentia to 10 years in prison. Recent reports indicate that Attionu is currently in the custody of United States authorities, as the legal process for her return enters its final stages.
Attorney General Dr. Dominic Ayine announced in December 2025 that U.S. officials have effectively completed the extradition proceedings. “The Americans have indicated that they’ve completed the process,” Ayine stated, noting that barring a final appeal by her legal team, her return to Ghana is imminent. Under Ghana’s Extradition Act of 1960, U.S. magistrates must determine if the charges are “of a political character,” which would legally bar extradition. Attionu has previously maintained her innocence, suggesting her trial was a targeted political prosecution.
Geopolitical and Legal Implications
Legal analysts note that while the U.S. executive branch can offer assurances of cooperation, the final decision remains with the U.S. federal courts. The “dual criminality” principle requires that the alleged crimes in Ghana also constitute crimes under U.S. federal law. Furthermore, the use of Interpol Red Notices—which Ofori-Atta’s team previously challenged—continues to be a flashpoint in how these cases are perceived internationally.
Strengthening Law Enforcement Ties
The meeting underscored a period of intensified security synergy, with both nations noting the successful transfer of multiple suspects over the past year.
“Ghana and the United States applauded our improved security and law enforcement cooperation, leading to the extradition of nine suspects from Ghana to the USA in 2025, and the ongoing commendable efforts to also send over two Ghanaians of high interest from the US to Ghana,” Ablakwa said.
This momentum seeks to reinforce confidence in bilateral legal ties. However, while diplomatic rhetoric remains positive, the final outcomes will serve as a definitive barometer for the independence of cross-border legal frameworks versus political interests.
