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INTERPOL deletes Ken Ofori-Atta's name 'permanently' from Red Notice as a wanted man

Enoch Darfah Frimpong Feb - 14 - 2026 , 02:17 5 minutes read

Former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta's name has been deleted from INTERPOL's Red Notice "permanently" as a wanted man.

In a public notice issued on Friday night [February 13, 2026], Mr Ofori-Atta's lawyers, Minkah-Premo, Osei-Bonsu, Bruce Kathline and Partners announced that the Commission for The Control of INTERPOL's Files (CCF) has notified Mr Ofori-Atta that on February 4, 2026, during its 135th Session, it determined that the Red Notice issued against him “appears of a predominantly political character" and is non-compliant with INTERPOL's rules, and shall be deleted from INTERPOL's files permanently.

Specifically, CCF stated that: "After a thorough examination of the elements before it, the commission found that the challenged data registered by the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) of Ghana were not compliant with INTERPOL's rules and decided that they should be deleted from the INTERPOL information system," the lawyers stated

OSP's confirmation

On his part, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), which applied for the Red Notice in a statement issued also on Friday night, confirming the development, indicated it has received the decision of the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL's Files concerning the Red Notice issued at Ghana's request for Mr. Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta.

"The Commission directed the deletion of the notice under INTERPOL's rules on political neutrality and notice processing, citing contextual factors at the time of issuance, including "polarized political statements from members of current and former administrations about the conduct of the investigation," as well as public controversy surrounding prosecutorial and extradition processes, including public acknowledgment by senior officials at the Ministry of Justice of an inability, at the time, to pursue extradition due to the early procedural stage of the case," the OSP stated.

"It further observed that subsequent developments made the notice unnecessary, as Mr. Ofori-Atta's location was known, cooperation with U.S. authorities was ongoing, and extradition processes had already been initiated following his arrest in the United States on 6 January 2026."

The OSP added that "Summons issued by the Criminal Division of the High Court in Accra have been transmitted for service in the United States requiring his appearance to answer multiple criminal charges. Efforts to secure his appearance continue through established legal and diplomatic channels."

The OSP reiterated that it remains guided solely by law and evidence and is committed to due process and the fair, lawful, and impartial prosecution of corruption and corruption-related offences.

Lawyers for Ken Ofori-Atta’s statement

RED NOTICE AGAINST KEN OFORI-ATTA DELETED PERMANENTLY: INTERPOL DOES NOT ENDORSE POLITICAL PERSECUTION

We are pleased to announce that, today, February 13, 2026, the Commission for The Control of INTERPOL's Files (CCF) has notified Kenneth Ofori-Atta that on February 4, 2026 during its 135' Session, it determined that the Red Notice issued against Mr. Ofori-Atta “appears of a predominantly political character" and is non-compliant with INTERPOL's rules, and shall be deleted from INTERPOL's files permanently.

Specifically, CCF stated that: "After a thorough examination of the elements before it, the commission found that the challenged data registered by the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) of Ghana were not compliant with INTERPOL's rules and decided that they should be deleted from the INTERPOL information system."

INTERPOL Decision Concerning Red Notice for Mr. Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has received the decision of the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL's Files concerning the Red Notice issued at Ghana's request for Mr. Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta.

The Commission directed the deletion of the notice under INTERPOL's rules on political neutrality and notice processing, citing contextual factors at the time of issuance, including "polarized political statements from members of current and former administrations about the conduct of the investigation," as well as public controversy surrounding prosecutorial and extradition processes, including public acknowledgment by senior officials at the Ministry of Justice of an inability, at the time, to pursue extradition due to the early procedural stage of the case.

It further observed that subsequent developments made the notice unnecessary, as Mr. Ofori-Atta's location was known, cooperation with U.S. authorities was ongoing, and extradition processes had already been initiated following his arrest in the United States on 6 January 2026.

Summons issued by the Criminal Division of the High Court in Accra have been transmitted for service in the United States requiring his appearance to answer multiple criminal charges. Efforts to secure his appearance continue through established legal and diplomatic channels.

The OSP reiterates that it remains guided solely by law and evidence and is committed to due process and the fair, lawful, and impartial prosecution of corruption and corruption-related offences.