The Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF) has permanently deleted the Red Notice issued against Ghana’s former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, ruling that the alert was of a “predominantly political character” and breached the organisation’s rules.
The decision, taken at the commission’s 135th session on 4 February 2026, represents a significant setback for the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), which had sought the international notice as part of efforts to secure Ofori-Atta’s return to Ghana to face criminal charges.
In its determination, the CCF concluded that the data submitted by INTERPOL’s National Central Bureau in Accra did not comply with the organisation’s constitutional framework, which prohibits intervention in matters of a political character. The deletion of the Red Notice is permanent, meaning the same alert cannot simply be re-issued through INTERPOL channels.
The ruling comes amid ongoing extradition efforts initiated under the administration of President John Dramani Mahama. In November 2025, the OSP filed 78 charges against Ofori-Atta and seven others at the High Court in Accra in connection with revenue assurance contracts between the Ghana Revenue Authority and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML).
Prosecutors allege that the contracts, awarded during the tenure of former President Nana Akufo-Addo, resulted in financial loss to the state exceeding GHC1.4 billion. The charges include conspiracy to influence procurement processes, wilfully causing financial loss to the state and using public office for private benefit. Ofori-Atta has denied wrongdoing and maintains that the prosecution is politically motivated.
Although the INTERPOL notice has been struck out, Ofori-Atta remains in the custody of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Virginia. He has been detained since 6 January 2026 following immigration proceedings after his US visa was revoked.
At a recent immigration hearing, a US judge declined to rely on assertions that an active extradition request rendered Ofori-Atta a flight risk, indicating that no documentary evidence had yet been presented before the court to substantiate that claim.
The court directed US authorities to produce evidence of any formal extradition application and adjourned the matter to April 2026 for further hearing, including consideration of bail.
Ghana’s Attorney-General, Dr Dominic Ayine, confirmed in December 2025 that a formal extradition package had been transmitted to the US Department of Justice through diplomatic channels.
The extradition process remains separate from INTERPOL’s Red Notice mechanism and will be determined under US law and applicable treaty obligations.
Meanwhile, proceedings against Ofori-Atta’s co-accused have commenced in Accra. Several former officials of the Ghana Revenue Authority and other defendants have pleaded not guilty and have been granted bail by the High Court.
For now, Ofori-Atta remains in ICE custody in Virginia, as the legal processes in both Ghana and the United States continue.
