The International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), has permanently deleted the Red Notice issued against former Finance Minister Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta, after determining that it was politically motivated and inconsistent with its rules.
In a public notice dated February 13, 2026, lawyers for Mr. Ofori-Atta, OBB Premo Bonsu, Bruce-Cathline & Partners, disclosed that the decision was taken by the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files during its 135th session.
According to the firm, the Commission concluded that the Red Notice “appears of a predominantly political character” and was “non-compliant with INTERPOL’s rules,” leading to its permanent deletion from INTERPOL’s database.
The Commission further stated that “after a thorough examination of the elements before it, the commission found that the challenged data… were not compliant with INTERPOL’s rules and decided that they should be deleted from the INTERPOL information system.”
In a separate statement, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (Ghana) (OSP) confirmed receipt of the decision and acknowledged that the deletion was based on political neutrality considerations.
The OSP said the Commission cited “polarized political statements from members of current and former administrations about the conduct of the investigation,” as well as public controversy surrounding extradition and prosecution processes.
It also referred to public admissions by officials at the Ministry of Justice (Ghana), who had indicated that extradition could not be pursued at the time due to “the early procedural stage of the case.”
The Commission further noted that later developments rendered the Red Notice unnecessary.
According to the OSP, these developments included the fact that “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 January 6, 2026.
Despite the deletion of the Red Notice, the OSP stressed that criminal proceedings against Mr. Ofori-Atta remain active in Ghana.
It revealed that summons issued by the Criminal Division of the High Court of Ghana in Accra have been transmitted to the United States for service.
These summons require him “to answer multiple criminal charges,” while efforts to secure his appearance are continuing through “established legal and diplomatic channels.”
The OSP emphasized that the removal of the Red Notice does not affect its mandate or ongoing investigations.
“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,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, lawyers for Mr. Ofori-Atta have welcomed the decision, describing it as a vindication and proof that INTERPOL does not endorse political persecution.
