Ofori-Atta US Immigration Case Set For June 15

Ken Ofori-Atta

 

Former Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, is set to appear before a United States immigration court on June 15, a hearing that will both determine his bid to secure a permanent US residence as well as moves by the Ghanaian government to extradite him to Ghana to stand trial for some alleged criminal offences.

The proceeding, which is expected to be held virtually, is scheduled for an individual hearing before Judge David A. Gardey at the Annandale Immigration Court in Virginia.

These proceedings follow Mr. Ofori-Atta’s release from an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention in United States earlier this month.

The former Finance Minister under the Nana Akufo-Addo administration was detained at the Caroline Detention Facility in Virginia following his arrest for allegedly over staying his tourist visa in the United States (US).

He reportedly entered the US on May 28, 2025, on a visitor’s visa that expired on November 27, 2025.

However, he is reported to have stayed in the US beyond the authorised period, leading to his arrest by ICE officials on January 6, 2026, in Washington, D.C.

His lawyer had filed an application for bond pending the determination of his status in the United States, where he is facing a possibility of being deported.

However, the court could not make a decision on the bond application as a result of some extradition processes initiated by Ghana through the United States Department of Justice.

“On April 7th 2026, Ken Ofori-Atta was released from ICE detention pursuant to judicial order. He is home with his family,” a statement signed by his lead counsel, Justice Kusi-Minkah Premo, partly read.

The statement pointed out that Mr. Ofori-Atta remains “fully committed to use due process” in defense of his rights as guaranteed under the constitution and laws of the United States.

It added that the former minister and his family “remain thankful to God and all those who have offered prayers and support during this period.”

 

Corruption Allegations

Mr. Ofori-Atta is facing multiple allegations of corruption and related offences in Ghana for some decisions he took during his tenure as Minister for Finance under the Nana Akufo-Addo-led New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), has charged him and seven others over the revenue assurance contract awarded to Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML), allegedly costing the nation over GH¢1.4 billion “financial loss.”

 

Permanent Stay

One of the lawyers representing him in the US has indicated that Mr. Ofori-Atta is pursuing the possibility of acquiring a permanent United States residency rather than returning to Ghana, where he is wanted to stand trial for a myriad of allegations of corruption and related offences.

This follows what his lawyer describes as the existence of “serious questions” about the independence of Ghana’s judiciary.

 

Extradition

The OSP has secured an order of summons to be served on Mr. Ofori-Atta and his Chef de Cabinet, Ernest Darko Akore, outside the jurisdiction as the Office takes steps to prosecute the two in absentia if they fail to return to Ghana.

In February this year, the United States Department of Justice acknowledged receipt of extradition packet sent by Ghana, regarding Mr. Ofori-Atta who is wanted in Ghana for alleged corruption and related offences.

As a result, the charge sheet and the summons have been transmitted to the US as the OSP takes steps to serve him outside the jurisdiction and possibly try him in absentia if he fails to return to Ghana.

The OSP is still yet to serve Mr. Ofori-Atta and Ernest Darko Akore with the charge sheet and documents pertaining to the criminal proceedings initiated against them.

 

BY Gibril Abdul Razak

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