US Immigration Judge Says OSP Evidence Against Ofori-Atta Was Not Persuasive
A United States immigration judge has ruled that Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) did not present sufficiently persuasive evidence to establish that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta committed any criminal wrongdoing.
According to the ruling by Judge Gardey, the court reviewed the OSP’s case, which reportedly contains more than 70 criminal allegations against Mr. Ofori-Atta. However, the judge concluded that the evidence presented failed to convincingly demonstrate that the former Finance Minister engaged in misconduct during his time in office or personally benefited from his public position.
The decision formed part of proceedings concerning Mr. Ofori-Atta’s application for an adjustment of immigration status in the United States.
In reaching the decision, the judge also considered Mr. Ofori-Atta’s long-standing connections to the United States. The court noted that he spent decades studying in the country and previously worked with global financial institutions Morgan Stanley and Salomon Brothers.
Additionally, the court took into account Mr. Ofori-Atta’s current health condition, noting that he is undergoing cancer treatment. The judge also considered his family circumstances, including the fact that he has a son who is a United States citizen.
After weighing the available evidence and the humanitarian and personal factors presented, Judge Gardey approved Mr. Ofori-Atta’s application for an adjustment of immigration status.
The ruling is likely to attract significant attention in both Ghana and the United States, given the high-profile nature of the allegations previously made by the OSP against the former Finance Minister.
