Attorney General and Minister for Justice Dr Dominic Ayine has stated that American citizenship does not shield Ken Ofori-Atta from extradition to Ghana, dismissing claims that the former Finance Minister’s United States citizenship could prevent him from being returned to face trial if required.

Speaking to journalists at the Jubilee House on Thursday, July 30, during a briefing on the Constitution Review Committee Report, Dr Ayine explained that Ghana’s extradition laws apply irrespective of a person’s citizenship status.

“Ken Ofori-Atta was a Minister of State, our former Finance Minister. The fact that a person is an American citizen does not immunise them from extradition,” Dr Ayine said.

He further noted that while no American citizen may have previously been extradited to Ghana, the law permits such action where legal requirements are met.

“American citizens can be extradited to Ghana. The fact that it has never happened doesn’t mean that it cannot happen,” he added.

Dual Citizenship Not a Barrier to Extradition

The Attorney General emphasised that holding dual citizenship does not create a legal obstacle to extradition proceedings.

According to Dr Ayine, even individuals who are not Ghanaian citizens can be extradited to Ghana if they are required to stand trial under the country’s laws.

“The fact that somebody is a dual citizen doesn’t make it difficult, doesn’t put a roadblock on the way to extradition, even if that person is not also a citizen of Ghana. They can be extradited to Ghana to stand trial,” he stressed.

US Immigration Judge Grants Ofori-Atta Adjustment of Status

Dr Ayine’s comments follow a recent ruling by a United States immigration judge granting Ken Ofori-Atta an adjustment of status, allowing him to remain legally in the United States.

In the decision, Judge David Gardey ruled that the former Finance Minister’s positive personal circumstances outweighed concerns arising from the criminal allegations brought against him in Ghana.

The court considered Ofori-Atta’s longstanding ties to the United States, including his education, professional career with financial institutions such as Morgan Stanley and Salomon Brothers, as well as his family connections, including a son who is a US citizen.

Judge Gardey also took into account Ofori-Atta’s ongoing medical treatment, noting that his health had deteriorated following his detention in connection with the criminal allegations.

“The court finds that the positive equities far outweigh the negative equities such that the court will exercise its discretion and grant the respondent’s request for adjustment of status,” Judge Gardey ruled.

The judge further acknowledged the challenges Ofori-Atta had experienced and concluded that he had demonstrated sufficient grounds to remain in the United States under the adjustment process.

Ghana Maintains Extradition Option

Despite the US immigration ruling, the Attorney General insisted that American citizenship does not shield Ken Ofori-Atta from extradition to Ghana if the country’s legal processes require his return.

Dr Ayine maintained that Ghana remains entitled to pursue extradition in accordance with international legal procedures should the former Finance Minister be required to appear before the courts.

Dr. Mrs. Adelaide Araba Siaw Agyepong, CEO of the African Agribusiness Consortium (AAC) and Executive Director of the Jospong Group of Companies, on Thursday welcomed home
118 young Ghanaian scholars sponsored by the Jospong Group and AAC to pursue graduate studies in Russia.

The scholars arrived at the Accra International Airport after successfully completing two years of postgraduate studies at the People’s Friendship University in Russia (RUDN University)

The programme, a flagship initiative of the Jospong Group through AAC, focused on Agriculture, Environmental Sciences, Waste Management and Sustainable Development. It is designed to build a new generation of skilled professionals to drive Ghana’s agricultural modernisation agenda.

“Investment In Human Capital For Ghana’s Future”

Addressing the media at the welcome ceremony, Dr. Mrs. Adelaide Siaw Agyepong said the decision to invest in agriculture education followed Jospong Group’s growing involvement in the sector.

“By the grace of God, after several years of contributing significantly to Ghana in sanitation and waste management transformation, the Jospong Group made another bold decision a few years ago to support the transformation of Ghana’s agricultural sector,” she said.

“As we became more involved in the agriculture sector, we realised that Ghana has enormous agricultural potential. Transforming the sector would require the active participation of a new generation of skilled and passionate young people. That is why, in partnership with RUDN University in Russia, we sponsored 118 young students to pursue graduate studies in agriculture and environmental sciences and technology.”

She expressed confidence that the scholars would impact the sector beyond their personal growth.

“I believe their investment will not only be to the benefit of the individuals, but will also contribute to the backbone of the agriculture sector and the development of our country. We are confident they will become change-agents in their respective fields.”

*Partnerships Acknowledged*
Dr. Mrs. Adelaide Siaw Agyepong thanked the Executive Chairman of Jospong Group of Companies Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong and RUDN University in Russia, Ghana’s mission in Moscow, Ghana’s Ministry of Agriculture and other individuals and institutions for their support during the scholars’ stay.

“I say thank you to the People’s Friendship University of Russia, RUDN University, for being a valued partner in this journey, and to the Embassy of Ghana in the Russian Federation for their unwavering support and commitment to the welfare of our students throughout their two years of studies. Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong and the Minister of Agriculture have been very supportive to the success of this initiative ”

*Scholars Pledge To Apply Skills In Climate And Transport*

The returning scholars said they are ready to apply their training to national challenges.

Mr. Saviour Kweku Dotsey, President of the Jospong Scholars RUDN Group, said he built skills in climate project management and will deploy them for the country.

“We have built skills in climate project management and we will use our skills to contribute to climate emissions initiatives for both the Jospong Group and the country,” Mr. Dotsey said.

Another beneficiary, Charlotte Opoku Gyamfua, who specialised in carbon reduction in the transport sector, said her expertise will target emissions in Ghana’s growing transport industry.

“I specialised in carbon reduction in the transport sector. I will use my skills to help manage the carbon emissions in the transport sector and help in climate related data collection and calculations in the transportation sector,” Ms. Gyamfua said.

*Deploying Knowledge For National Development*
Upon their return, the 118 beneficiaries are expected to deploy their expertise to address challenges in food security, rural development, waste management and climate-smart agriculture.

The Jospong Group, through AAC, says the scholarship programme forms part of its long-term commitment to education and sustainable development, and to positioning Ghanaian youth at the forefront of the nation’s economic transformation.

The Attorney-General announced plans to challenge Sedina Tamakloe’s acquittal after the Court of Appeal overturned the conviction of former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Ms Sedina Attionu Tamakloe.

The Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice has directed the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to immediately file a notice of appeal at the Supreme Court, challenging the decision that acquitted and discharged the former MASLOC boss.

In a statement issued on Thursday, July 30, 2026, the Attorney-General said it has taken note of the Court of Appeal’s judgment and believes the matter requires further determination by the highest court of the land.

The Attorney-General has also instructed that an application for a stay of execution of the Court of Appeal judgment be filed, pending the final determination of the appeal by the Supreme Court.

Sedina Tamakloe’s 78 Criminal Charges

Ms Sedina Attionu Tamakloe was previously convicted by the High Court (Financial Division 2), presided over by Justice Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwe, who sat as an additional High Court judge.

She was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment after being found guilty on charges involving alleged financial crimes.

The former MASLOC CEO faced 78 counts of offences, including:

• Conspiracy to steal
• Stealing
• Conspiracy to cause financial loss to the State
• Causing financial loss to the State
• Causing loss to public property
• Improper payment of public funds
• Unauthorised commitments resulting in financial obligations to government
• Money laundering
• Breaches of the Public Procurement Act

Court of Appeal Acquits Former MASLOC CEO

Following her conviction, Ms Tamakloe appealed the High Court’s decision. The Republic opposed the appeal through written submissions, arguing that the appeal lacked merit and should be dismissed.

However, the Court of Appeal unanimously overturned the High Court’s judgment and acquitted and discharged the former MASLOC Chief Executive Officer on all charges.

The ruling brought an end to the previous conviction but has now triggered a fresh legal battle at the Supreme Court.

Attorney-General Confident Supreme Court Appeal Will Succeed

The Attorney-General stated that the government remains committed to the rule of law, due process, and the fight against corruption.

According to the statement, the Attorney-General is confident that the Supreme Court will carefully examine the issues raised and deliver a decision in accordance with the law.

“The Government remains firmly of the view that the Court of Appeal’s decision ought to be reviewed by the Supreme Court,” the statement noted.

The Supreme Court will now determine whether the Court of Appeal’s decision to acquit and discharge Sedina Tamakloe should stand or whether further action should be taken in the case.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has directed the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to appeal the Court of Appeal’s decision acquitting and discharging former Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) Chief Executive, Sedina Tamakloe Attionu.

Announcing the decision during the Government Accountability Series, Dr. Ayine said the Court of Appeal had unanimously overturned the High Court’s judgment, which convicted Ms. Attionu in absentia after she travelled to the United States for medical treatment and failed to return to continue her trial.

The Attorney-General clarified that the appeal before the Court of Appeal was filed by his predecessor in May 2024. He explained that after assuming office, he reviewed the case and instructed the DPP to oppose the appeal because the government believed the High Court’s judgment was legally sound.

Dr. Ayine disclosed that he has now directed the DPP to file a notice of appeal at the Supreme Court and seek a stay of execution of the Court of Appeal’s ruling.

He explained that if the stay is granted, the legal status quo would remain in force until the Supreme Court hears the appeal and delivers its final judgment.

“I believe that the judgment of the High Court had merit,” Dr. Ayine stated, adding that he had only received a copy of the Court of Appeal’s judgment and was yet to study it thoroughly before settling on the specific grounds of appeal.

The Attorney-General also maintained that the United States District Court had sufficient legal basis to determine that Ms. Attionu was a proper subject for extradition to Ghana, reinforcing the government’s position that the case should be reviewed by the country’s highest court.

He said the government’s decision to appeal reflects its commitment to ensuring that the legal issues raised in the case receive a final determination by the Supreme Court.

Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu’s acquittal has been described by her lawyer, Enoch Deegbe, as a victory for the rule of law following the Court of Appeal’s unanimous decision to overturn the former Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) Chief Executive Officer’s conviction and 10-year prison sentence.

Speaking shortly after Thursday’s ruling, Mr Deegbe welcomed the judgment but cautioned against concluding until the court releases its full written decision.

The Court of Appeal, in a unanimous ruling delivered on Thursday, July 30, acquitted and discharged Ms Tamakloe-Attionu after finding that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

The ruling brings to an end a high-profile criminal case that attracted significant public and political attention.

Lawyer Commends Court of Appeal

Speaking to JoyNews after the ruling, Mr Deegbe thanked the three-member panel for what he described as a carefully considered judgment.

“First of all, let me seize the opportunity to thank My Lords for the erudite judgment they have given,” he said.

He confirmed that the court had indicated the written judgment would be ready later in the day.

“As you may already know, the judgment will be ready by the close of today. Sedinam, my client, is indeed acquitted and discharged,” he added.

Written Judgment Needed Before Full Analysis

Despite expressing satisfaction with the outcome, Mr Deegbe said he would not immediately discuss the legal reasoning behind the decision until he had studied the court’s written judgment.

He explained that doing so prematurely could misinform the public.

“I want to see the reasoning of My Lords—whether they agreed with me entirely or perhaps had other considerations—so that we do not misinform the public,” he stated.

According to him, once the certified judgment is available, his legal team will provide a detailed legal analysis of the decision.

Defence Argued Charge Sheet Was Defective

Mr Deegbe revealed that one of the central arguments presented by the defence was that the charge sheet against his client was fundamentally defective.

According to him, the alleged defects undermined the entire prosecution.

“The charge sheet which founded the allegations against her was defective and therefore could not have formed the basis of the entire process.”

He maintained that once the legal foundation of the prosecution collapsed, every subsequent proceeding became unsustainable.

However, he reiterated that the public should wait for the court’s written judgment before making conclusions about the exact legal basis for the acquittal.

Legal Team Begins Release Process

Following the Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu acquittal, Mr Deegbe disclosed that his legal team had already applied for a certified copy of the judgment to facilitate her release.

“We’ve just applied for the certified copy,” he said.

“We will take the necessary steps and bring the judgment to the attention of the Republic.”

When asked when his client could regain her freedom, the lawyer expressed hope that all administrative procedures would be completed promptly.

“From my end, I would wish that she were released immediately,” he noted.

“However, there are procedural steps that must be followed. We will ensure that everything required is done today and, as much as possible, we anticipate that she should be out before the end of the week.”

Client Never Lost Faith

Mr Deegbe also described Ms Tamakloe-Attionu as someone whose faith remained strong throughout the appeal process.

“In matters like this, she has always been prayerful. She is a person of faith,” he said.

He added that she remained convinced the Court of Appeal would eventually clear her name.

“She has always believed that once the Court of Appeal considered the matter, she would be set free.”

“Victory for the Rule of Law”

Describing the outcome as a significant legal milestone, Mr Deegbe said the ruling represented a triumph for justice.

“For us, this is a victory for the rule of law,” he declared.

He, however, refused to comment on the political implications of the case, insisting his responsibility was strictly legal.

“I am a lawyer, so I can only speak to issues of law. I am not a politician, so I cannot speak to politics.”

He urged journalists, lawyers and members of the public to obtain copies of the judgment, court proceedings and legal submissions before offering interpretations of the ruling.

“Anyone who wants to do a proper job should apply to the court, obtain our submissions and the proceedings, and they will appreciate our case much better,” he said.

“The law is the law.”

Source:myjoyonline