The CCF concluded that the Red Notice—originally issued in June 2025 at the request of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP)—violated INTERPOL’s strict
rules on political neutrality.
Key Findings of the Commission:
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Political Context: The CCF cited "polarized political statements" from both current and former government officials regarding the investigation as a factor that compromised the notice's neutrality.
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Procedural Prematurity: It noted that senior officials in Ghana's Ministry of Justice had publicly admitted an inability to pursue extradition at the time the notice was issued due to the early stage of the case.
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Redundancy: Since Mr. Ofori-Atta’s location in the United States is known and he is currently in the custody of U.S. immigration authorities, the Commission determined the "wanted" alert was no longer necessary for international cooperation.
The Legal Battle: 78 Charges and $1.4B Loss
Despite the deletion of the INTERPOL notice, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) remains undeterred in its pursuit of the former minister. Mr. Ofori-Atta and six others are facing 78 criminal charges related to the Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) scandal.
The Case Overview:
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The Allegation: Scheming to improperly secure a revenue assurance contract for SML, a company with no prior experience in the petroleum sector.
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The Loss: The OSP alleges the deal resulted in a financial loss of GHS 1.4 billion to the state.
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Current Status: A High Court in Accra has issued criminal summons, which have been transmitted to the U.S. for formal service.
| Key Date | Event |
| June 5, 2025 | INTERPOL Red Notice originally published. |
| Jan 6, 2026 | Ofori-Atta detained by U.S. ICE at Caroline Detention Facility. |
| Feb 4, 2026 | INTERPOL CCF orders permanent deletion of the Red Notice. |
| Feb 19, 2026 | U.S. Federal Court deadline for Ghana to produce extradition evidence. |
Impact on Extradition
While the deletion of the Red Notice restores Mr. Ofori-Atta’s international travel rights (should he be released from U.S. custody), it does not halt the extradition process. The OSP confirmed that it is moving forward through bilateral diplomatic channels with the U.S. Department of Justice.
The U.S. court has set a deadline for Thursday, February 19, for the Ghanaian government to present its formal evidence of the extradition request.
The Bottom Line
The INTERPOL ruling is a significant reputational win for Ken Ofori-Atta, framing the domestic investigation as politically motivated on the international stage. However, his physical return to Ghana now rests entirely on the strength of the OSP’s evidence in the Virginia federal court later this week.
