The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dominic Ayine, has disclosed that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has hired some of the most experienced lawyers in the United States to challenge Ghana’s attempt to extradite him.

Speaking on Thursday, December 18, during the Government Accountability Series, Mr Ayine said the move signals a long legal battle in the US courts, making it difficult to predict when Mr Ofori-Atta could return to Ghana to face trial.

“I just got to know yesterday that he has hired some of the top lawyers in the United States of America, very experienced lawyers, to defend him,” the Attorney-General said.

Mr Ayine said he was not intimidated by the legal challenge but acknowledged that the process could take time.

“I’m not afraid at all,” he stated. “But it means that there’s going to be a fight in the federal courts in the US. If the district court says no, he will go to the circuit court. If the circuit court says no, he’s entitled to go to the US Supreme Court to fight his case.”

According to the Attorney-General, the multiple layers of appeal under the US legal system mean the extradition process may be prolonged.

“So I cannot tell you that he will come tomorrow or he will come the next day. I’m just being honest. Accounting to the people means being explicit and truthful. This is what we are faced with.”

Despite the challenges, Mr Ayine said the government remains committed to bringing the former Finance Minister back to Ghana.

“On behalf of the government of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, we have taken the requisite steps to bring him to Ghana to face trial,” he said.

The Attorney-General also appealed directly to Mr Ofori-Atta to return voluntarily, assuring him of a fair legal process.

“If I were him, this is his home. He should just join the next flight and come here. Under my watch, he will not be treated unfairly. He will go through due process and be prosecuted just like any other person,” Mr Ayine said.

He said that Mr Ofori-Atta would not be singled out and would be treated the same as others already facing charges. “He will go through due process and be prosecuted just like Kwabena Adu Boahene or Abdul Hanan or any of the persons I have filed charges against,” he added.

Read also: AG formally requests extradition of Ofori-Atta, Ernest Akore to face charges

The Government Accountability Series provides a platform for sector ministers to present mid-year updates and preliminary assessments of the government’s performance, as part of efforts to promote transparency and accountability.