Former Education Minister and New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, has urged Ghanaians to exercise restraint and allow due legal process to take its course in matters relating to former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile, Dr Adutwum said it was important for the country to uphold the rule of law rather than taking decisions at home and subjecting individuals to public condemnation before the facts are fully tested by the appropriate legal institutions.

"You are going through the legal process. Why do I have to be preempted? We are going through the legal process, allow the legal process to work," he said.

"If someone is in detention, what are you talking about that he is not making himself available? I believe that he is in the process; we allow the process to work."

He made the remarks when asked to comment on the ongoing developments surrounding Mr Ofori-Atta and his arrest by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

What else?

Ken Ofori-Atta, who served as Ghana’s Finance Minister for nearly eight years, has in recent months been at the centre of legal and political scrutiny linked to decisions taken during his tenure.

The former minister has faced investigations and legal actions, including proceedings connected to alleged financial and procurement-related infractions, some of which have attracted international dimensions.

Authorities have indicated that the processes underway are part of broader accountability measures, while Mr Ofori-Atta's legal team have consistently maintained his innocence.

He was detained in the USA by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Tuesday, January 6.

The situation has since escalated into a complex legal and diplomatic crisis following his targeted arrest in the nation's capital, Washington DC.

He now awaits a decisive court hearing scheduled for January 20 before an immigration judge.

Read also: US ICE confirms Ofori-Atta overstayed visa, describes him as ‘illegal alien’