<h1><br></h1><p>According to reports by 3News and other media outlets, the judge held that the material submitted by the OSP did not provide persuasive evidence linking Ofori-Atta to criminal conduct that would justify the legal action being pursued in the United States. The court also found that the prosecution had not established probable cause to support the allegations presented in the extradition-related proceedings.</p><p>The ruling is expected to have significant implications for the OSP's attempts to secure Ofori-Atta's return to Ghana, where he is wanted to face charges relating to alleged corruption and corruption-related offences. The OSP has accused the former finance minister in connection with several investigations, including matters involving the Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) contract, the National Cathedral project, ambulance procurement, the Ghana Revenue Authority's Tax Refund Account and the termination of the ECG-BXC contract.</p><p>Lawyers for Ofori-Atta argued before the US court that the evidence submitted by Ghanaian authorities was insufficient to establish criminal liability under applicable legal standards. The judge reportedly agreed that the documentation presented did not adequately demonstrate that a crime had been committed by the former minister.</p><p>The decision does not amount to a determination of Ofori-Atta's innocence or guilt regarding the allegations in Ghana. Rather, it addresses whether the evidence presented in the US proceedings met the legal threshold required for the matter before the American court.</p><p>The Office of the Special Prosecutor has consistently maintained that it possesses sufficient evidence to prosecute Ofori-Atta in Ghana and has already filed multiple corruption-related charges while continuing extradition efforts. As of the latest update, the OSP has not publicly indicated whether it will challenge the US court's ruling or submit additional evidence in support of its case.</p><p>Photo credit: 3news.com</p>