A United States immigration judge has rejected claims of criminal wrongdoing against Ghana's former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta. Judge David Gardey, presiding at the Annandale Immigration Court, delivered his ruling on June 15, 2026. The judge's decision relied significantly on Interpol’s prior cancellation of a red notice against Mr. Ofori-Atta.
The Interpol Commission for the Control of Files (CCF) had decided to delete the red notice. Judge Gardey stated this Interpol decision provided independent support for concerns surrounding the case against Mr. Ofori-Atta. Ghana had initially secured the red notice in connection with investigations by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) into allegations related to the Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) contract.
This ruling underscores the importance of international judicial and law enforcement bodies in assessing the credibility of allegations. Interpol's review had described the matter as "predominantly political." An expert witness presented this finding before the US court. This classification by Interpol suggests that the allegations may have been driven by political motivations rather than concrete criminal evidence.
Judge Gardey explicitly stated that the Interpol decision reinforced his conclusion. He found that the allegations against Mr. Ofori-Atta were not supported by sufficient evidence. The judge noted, "The lack of any persuasive evidence indicating any kind of criminal wrongdoing or criminal conspiracy involving the respondent in the OSP's affidavit is powerful evidence." This statement directly challenges the OSP's initial claims.
The court also questioned why the United States government had not pursued an extradition request against Mr. Ofori-Atta. The absence of such action, according to the judge, suggested difficulties in establishing credible criminal claims against him. This further weakens the perception of the allegations' validity.
This development has significant implications for Mr. Ofori-Atta's immigration status and his public image. It also casts a spotlight on the investigative processes of Ghana's Office of the Special Prosecutor. The OSP's ability to secure and maintain international cooperation on such matters may face increased scrutiny. Future cases involving high-profile Ghanaian officials could be affected by this precedent.
The ruling could influence how international bodies perceive future requests from Ghanaian investigative agencies. It highlights the need for robust, evidence-based investigations free from political interference. Decision-makers in Ghana and international partners will observe how the OSP responds to this judicial assessment. This case adds to the broader narrative of accountability and due process within Ghana's political and legal landscape.