Confidential conversation between Attorney General and US lawyers of Ofori-Atta drops

The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has revealed 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 seek assurances 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 assure him 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. Ken Ofori-Atta will be accorded due process of law,” Dr Ayine disclosed.

He explained that two other lawyers were also part of the conversation, which at the time was strictly confidential. “I talked with John Ashcroft, including the lawyer who granted the interview [Enayat Qasimi], so there were three of them; at that point, it was confidential. I could not mention John Ashcroft as his lawyer,” he said.

Dr Ayine also clarified why he had previously described Ofori-Atta’s legal team as “top,” a comment that drew some public attention. “I was simply saying that when you take the fact that he has these top lawyers coming to court in America to defend him, it is not going to be a day’s work to bring him home,” he explained.

He outlined the potential legal process Ofori-Atta could face in the US, noting that he is scheduled to appear before an immigration judge on January 20, 2026. From there, he could appeal through the district court, circuit court of appeals, and potentially the US Supreme Court. Any extradition proceedings would follow a similar multi-level judicial pathway.

“In this current matter, he will appear before an immigration judge on January 20th. He has a right to appeal that decision to a district court, then to a circuit court of appeals, and potentially to the United States Supreme Court. In the extradition case, a district court will hear proceedings and make a determination; if he’s not satisfied, he can appeal to the circuit court and the US Supreme Court,” Dr Ayine explained…CONTINUE MORE READING>>>