Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta will have a fair and open trial in relation to the Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) controversy if he is extradited to Ghana, according to Attorney-General and Justice Minister Dr. Dominic Ayine.
The Attorney-General gave the assurance during the government’s Accountability Series on Thursday, December 18, 2025.
Ayine reiterated government’s commitment to see to it that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is put on trial in Ghana without compromising the due process established for an impartial prosecution of suspects.
“On behalf of the government and His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama, we have taken the necessary steps to bring him home to face trial. If I were him, this is home he should just join the next available flight. Under my watch, he will not be treated unfairly; he will go through due process and be prosecuted just like any other person,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ayine has disclosed that Ken Ofori-Atta has hired top American lawyers with much experience to challenge his extradition to Ghana.
He explained that US extradition proceedings are conducted through the federal court system and involve multiple layers of judicial review.
“If the District Court says no, he will go to the Circuit Court, if the Circuit court says no, he is entitled to go to the US Supreme Court to fight his case,” Dr Ayine added.
Ghanaian authorities have also submitted a formal request to United States authorities for the extradition of Ken Ofori-Atta to Ghana to face prosecution over alleged corruption charges.
Following the submission of the request, it is expected that the Department of Justice in the United States will make a determination on the request whether or not to extradite Ofori-Atta and Ernest Darko Akore.
“At this point, it is left with the to the American authorities especially the Judicial authorities to make a determination on whether a sufficient basis exists for the two accused persons to be extradited to Ghana to stand trial,” the Attorney-General stated.
On Tuesday, November 18, the OSP formally charged former Minister for Finance, Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta and 7 others with 78 counts of corruption and corruption-related offences.
Ernest Darko Akore, Emmanuel Kofi Nti, Ammishaddai Owusu Amoah, Isaac Crenstil, Kwadwo Damoah, Evans Adusei, and Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML).
Mr Ofori-Atta will be tried in absentia because he has not returned to Ghana from his trip to the United States.
- Ernest Akore, former Chef de Cabinet to the former Minister of Finance
- Emmanuel Kofi Nti, former Commissioner-General of the GRA
- Rev Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, former Commissioner-General of the GRA
- Isaac Crentsil, former Commissioner of the Customs Division of the GRA and General Manager for Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited
- Kwadwo Damoah, former Commissioner of the Customs Division of the GRA and Member of Parliament for Jaman South.
It is recalled that at a press briefing on Thursday, October 30, following a comprehensive investigation, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng said the investigation uncovered evidence of serious financial irregularities involving top officials of the Ministry of Finance and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), as well as individuals connected to Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML).
Mr Agyebeng explained that each of the named individuals will face charges of corruption and corruption-related offences before the end of next month.
“The outcome of the investigation is that the OSP will charge the following persons with various corruption and corruption-related offences before the end of November 2025,” the OSP said.
In addition, Mr Agyebeng disclosed that the OSP will recover GH₵125 million from Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML). This amount, he said, represents an unjust enrichment the company obtained “unfairly at the expense of the Republic.”“The OSP will recover a total amount of GH₵125 from SML by way of disgorgement of unjust enrichment of overpayment by the return of the benefit this amount obtained unfairly at the expense of the Republic,” he said.
