Ofori-Atta Extradition: Pratt questions OSP reluctance to submit docket to Attorney General

The Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, has criticised the approach taken by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) in seeking the extradition of former Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, asserting that the prosecutor legally lacks the independent power to initiate the process.

Speaking on Good Morning Ghana on October 22, 2025, Pratt argued that due to the OSP’s "inferior constitutional position," the authority for extradition is solely vested in the Attorney General (AG).

"The OSP, because of its inferior position... cannot start an extradition process. No, it can't. It doesn't have the power to do so. That power is vested in the Attorney General," he stated.

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Pratt expressed particular surprise over the OSP’s decision to communicate with the AG through the Office of the Chief of Staff.

"Very, very strangely, the OSP now writes to the Chief of Staff to facilitate the extradition. How?" he questioned.

He asserted that the OSP should communicate directly with the AG, its constitutional superior.

Pratt further explained that the Chief of Staff, recognising the legal limitations under Article 88, subsequently forwarded the request to the Attorney General.

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However, the AG's office responded by stating that the extradition process cannot begin without the submission of a docket.

Pratt stressed that despite the request, the OSP has failed to submit the necessary docket.

"As we speak now, today, that docket has not been submitted... The Attorney General says that we cannot proceed without a docket," he said.

Kwesi Pratt Jnr further noted that the AG’s insistence on receiving the docket, along with the two OSP investigators, was a clear signal to "exercise oversight over the process, as is empowered by law, by the constitution to do."

Pratt further questioned the OSP’s apparent defiance.

"The OSP, based on Article 88, is only exercising powers that the Attorney General allows it to exercise. It's a subordinate organisation. So, how does a subordinate organisation say that we will not listen to you, [and] want to do as we like?" he quizzed.

He reaffirmed that legal experts consistently maintain that a formal docket is essential for instituting any extradition process.

VPO/AE

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