The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has provided details of a confidential discussion he had with high-profile US lawyers representing former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.
Speaking on NewsFile on JoyNews on Saturday, January 10, 2026, Dr Ayine said former US Attorney General John Ashcroft, part of Ofori-Atta’s legal team, contacted him to ensure that the former minister would receive a fair trial if returned to Ghana.
“John Ashcroft… called me and said he was representing Ken Ofori-Atta, but his concern was to ensure that when Ken is returned to Ghana, he’ll get a fair trial. I assured him that under this government and in accordance with Article 19 of the constitution, his right to a fair trial is guaranteed. He will be accorded due process of law,” Dr Ayine disclosed.
He added that two other lawyers were also part of the discussion, which was confidential at the time. “I spoke with John Ashcroft, including the lawyer who granted the interview [Enayat Qasimi]; there were three of them on Zoom expressing concerns. At that time, it was confidential. I could not mention John Ashcroft as his lawyer,” he said.
Dr Ayine clarified why he had described the legal team as “top,” a comment that drew some public attention. “I was simply saying that with these top lawyers defending him in the US, it is not going to be a day’s work to bring him home,” he explained.
He outlined the legal pathway Ofori-Atta may face in the United States, noting that the former minister is scheduled to appear before an immigration judge on January 20, 2026. He has the right to appeal decisions to a district court, then a circuit court of appeals, and potentially the US Supreme Court.
Dr Ayine also explained that any extradition proceedings would follow a similar multi-level judicial process. “He will appear before an immigration judge on January 20th. He can appeal to a district court, then to a circuit court of appeals, and potentially to the United States Supreme Court. This is the pathway to determine whether he should be taken from America. If he does not self-deport, this is what will happen,” he said
