By Sarah Baafi
Attorney General Dr. Dominic Ayine has disclosed that he personally gave assurances to former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft that ex–Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta would be granted a fair trial if returned to Ghana.
Speaking on Joy News’ ‘Newsfile’, Dr. Dominic Ayine explained that the assurance formed part of high-level legal engagements surrounding efforts to have Mr. Ofori-Atta repatriated from the United States.
According to him, Mr. Ashcroft, who is leading Ofori-Atta’s legal defence in the U.S., reached out directly to seek guarantees that his client’s constitutional rights would be fully protected under Ghana’s legal system.
“I assured him that under this government, and in line with Article 19 of the Constitution, his right to a fair trial is guaranteed,” Dr. Ayine stated.
He stressed that due process would be strictly observed and that Mr. Ofori-Atta would not be subjected to any form of unfair treatment.
Dr. Ayine also shed light on the complex legal challenges Ghana faces in its attempt to secure the former minister’s return. He noted that Mr. Ofori-Atta is expected to appear before a U.S. immigration judge and is entitled to exhaust all available appeal processes, potentially extending to the U.S. Supreme Court.
“If he chooses not to self-deport, that is the process we must go through,” the Attorney General explained, describing the situation as part of the broader pursuit of probity and accountability.
He added that a formal extradition request would follow a similarly lengthy path, involving hearings in U.S. district courts and possible appeals at higher judicial levels.
Dr. Ayine clarified that his earlier mention of Ofori-Atta’s “top lawyers” was intentionally vague, as discussions with Mr. Ashcroft and two other attorneys were confidential at the time.
Dismissing claims that the former minister’s high-powered legal team posed any intimidation, he remarked, “I’m not afraid of them.”
The matter remains ongoing, with keen attention now focused on the January 20 immigration hearing in the United States.
