The former finance minister for Ghana – Ken Ofori-Atta has secured a legal victory in the United States today, after their immigration court approved his application to adjust his immigration status, in other to pave way for him to legally and lawfully obtain permanent residency in the United States. In other words, this legal decision by US, was to strengthen Ofori-Atta’s efforts to remain in their country, while facing criminal investigations in Ghana.
It was informed that this permanent approval stay by the immigration court of US to Ofori-Atta got considered through the I-485 petition he presented in his application, that is, a key step in the process of acquiring permanent resident status in the United States.
According to his Lawyer – Frank Davies, the court considered and examined the criminal investigation issues and charges currently pending against Ofori-Atta in Ghana, before reaching this decision to grant him a permanent stay.
During the proceedings, the Judge reportedly was also informed to have questioned some of the actions of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) in Ghana, particularly on the part of its previous decision to declare Ofori-Atta “WANTED” or a fugitive from justice. From the court, this decision on the part of OSP was inappropriate and therefore, Ofori-Atta by then was receiving medical treatment in the US and his lawyers were also still communicating with the Ghanaian Investigators. So according to them, there was no need for that “WANTED declaration”.
A witness with expertise in international policing and INTERPOL procedures also presented and raised some concerns about the aspects of legal processes used by Ghanaian Authorities in pursuing Ken Ofori-Atta’s case. Mentioning that, since Ofori-Atta was informed to have gone to seek medical care, such procedures particularly in declaring him “WANTED” by OSP was unnecessary.
However, the subject of matter in terms of Ken Ofori-Atta multiple criminal charges in Ghana according to their judgment; still remains the same and their decision to grant him a permanent stay, does not also dismiss his criminal charges he faces in Ghana. They mentioned that the US court whatsoever, is not also determining Ken’s guilt or innocence. But only using the information presented to them to take their decision, in which his pending investigation and charges from their judgment, is not a ‘sufficient ground’ to deny him a permanent stay in US.
Meanwhile, legal analysts have also raised and expressed concerns of this ruling, noting that, the decision could possibly complicate future attempts by Ghanaian Authorities into securing Ofori-Atta’s return to Ghana. Even though any extradition or repatriation efforts may mean or would also subject to separate legal processes between the two countries.
Here is to read more on his multiple criminal charges that was levelled against him