AG to meet US Justice Dept. on pending Ghana-US extradition requests
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, is expected to hold high-level bilateral discussions with officials of the United States Department of Justice on all outstanding extradition requests between Ghana and the United States, according to Government Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu.
The planned engagement is aimed at addressing several high-profile extradition matters currently before authorities in both countries and could significantly streamline the process of returning suspects and convicted persons to face justice. The announcement was made on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, coinciding with the arrival in Accra of Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, who was extradited from the United States after a two-year legal process.
Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu’s return signals progress
Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu’s extradition marks a significant milestone in judicial cooperation between Ghana and the United States. The former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) was convicted in absentia by a Ghana High Court in April 2024. Following a lengthy extradition process, she arrived in Ghana on Tuesday to begin serving her sentence. Her return is being viewed as evidence that closer collaboration between the two countries can produce tangible results in complex cross-border legal cases.
Ken Ofori-Atta case remains a key focus
Among the most closely watched extradition matters is that of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) formally charged Ofori-Atta on November 18, 2025, over allegations linked to several government contracts and projects. The charges relate to the GH¢125 million Strategic Mobilisation Limited contract with the Ghana Revenue Authority, the $400 million National Cathedral Project, ambulance procurement contracts for the Ministry of Health, and electricity sector agreements. Ofori-Atta travelled to the United States in early 2025 for medical treatment. On January 6, 2026, he was taken into custody by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Washington, D.C. Since then, he has reportedly been held at the Caroline Detention Facility in Bowling Green, Virginia, while legal proceedings continue.
Dual legal proceedings in the United States
The former minister is currently the subject of two separate legal processes in the United States. The first concerns alleged immigration-related violations, while the second relates directly to Ghana’s formal request for his extradition to face trial at home. The outcome of these proceedings is expected to have significant implications for Ghana’s anti-corruption efforts and its ability to prosecute high-profile public officials accused of wrongdoing.
Ernest Darko Akore’s dual citizenship complicates matters
Another case under consideration involves Ernest Darko Akore, a former technical adviser to Ofori-Atta.
Akore is facing charges from the OSP but left Ghana for New York on November 19, 2024. Unlike many extradition suspects, Akore possesses both Ghanaian and American citizenship, creating additional legal challenges. Because he is a US citizen, authorities cannot simply deport him to Ghana. This has prompted the US Department of Justice to seek guidance from Ghanaian prosecutors on the most appropriate legal approach.
Officials have reportedly considered whether Akore should first be arrested before being served with a summons or whether the summons should be issued before any arrest action is taken.
Abu Trica faces possible extradition to the United States
While Ghana seeks the return of some suspects from the United States, American authorities are simultaneously pursuing the extradition of a Ghana-based suspect. Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, was arrested in Ghana in December 2025 during a joint operation involving the FBI and Ghanaian security agencies. US prosecutors accuse him of operating an $8 million romance fraud scheme that allegedly targeted elderly Americans through fake online identities, including the use of artificial intelligence-generated photographs and voice recordings. A ruling by a Ghanaian High Court on whether he should be surrendered to US authorities is expected on June 11, 2026.
New bilateral approach could accelerate extraditions
Legal observers believe the upcoming meeting between Dr. Ayine and the US Department of Justice represents a shift in strategy. Rather than addressing extradition requests individually, both countries are expected to review all pending cases collectively. This broader approach could help identify common legal and procedural obstacles, potentially reducing delays and improving cooperation. If successful, the discussions may establish a more efficient framework for handling future extradition requests, strengthening judicial collaboration between Ghana and the United States and ensuring that suspects and convicted persons cannot evade justice by crossing borders.
