Recent developments show that INTERPOL permanently deleted the Red Notice against him in February 2026. This followed a ruling by the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF) that the notice violated INTERPOL’s rules on political neutrality. It cited factors like polarized political statements surrounding the case at the time of issuance, describing it as having a “predominantly political character.”
However, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) in Ghana has explicitly clarified that this deletion does not affect the underlying criminal charges or investigation. Key points from official statements and reports:
▪︎ The OSP maintains that criminal charges remain active, including multiple counts of corruption and related offenses (e.g., in the Strategic Mobilisation Limited/SML revenue assurance contract case, where he and others face allegations of causing significant financial loss to the state).
▪︎ A High Court summons has been issued and is being served in the United States, requiring his appearance to answer these charges.
▪︎ Ghanaian authorities continue pursuing his return through legal and diplomatic channels, including an active extradition process.
Ofori-Atta remains in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody (as of early 2026 reports), initially detained over immigration/visa issues, with his case adjourned multiple times (e.g., to April 2026 in some hearings). This is separate from but intersects with Ghana’s extradition efforts.
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The Red Notice removal is a procedural/interpol-specific outcome (not a judgment on guilt or innocence), and it does not equate to clearance or exoneration from the OSP’s corruption probes. His legal team has portrayed the case as politically motivated, while critics and officials insist the investigation is law-based and ongoing.
In short, no court or authority has declared him exonerated or cleared of the allegations—he’s still wanted in Ghana to face trial.