Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is said to be pursuing permanent residency in the United States while contesting efforts by Ghanaian authoritie
Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is said to be pursuing permanent residency in the United States while contesting efforts by Ghanaian authorities to extradite him to face corruption charges, according to his legal team.The development adds a new dimension to the complex legal battle surrounding the former economic manager, who remains in U.S. immigration custody as parallel proceedings unfold in both Washington and Accra.
Ofori-Atta is currently detained at the Caroline Detention Facility, operated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), following his arrest by U.S. immigration officials in January 2026.
Authorities detained him after determining that he had overstayed his permitted period in the country after his visitor visa was revoked.
Court documents indicate that although his visa was initially due to expire in February 2026, U.S. authorities had earlier instructed him to leave the country by November 29, 2025. His failure to comply with that directive left him without lawful immigration status, triggering enforcement action by ICE.
Speaking to international media outlet Semafor, Ofori-Atta’s lawyer, Enayat Qasimi said the former minister intends to remain in the United States and pursue what he described as a “pathway to residency.” Qasimi argued that his client fears he would not receive a fair trial if returned to Ghana, claiming there are “serious questions” surrounding the independence of the Ghanaian judiciary.
He further alleged that Ofori-Atta had been subjected to a “political witch-hunt” stemming from his tenure in government, which could compromise the fairness of legal proceedings against him.
The office of Dominic Ayine, the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, declined to comment on the lawyer’s claims.
However, the government of Ghana has already submitted a formal extradition request seeking Ofori-Atta’s return to face prosecution. U.S. officials have confirmed receipt of the request and are processing it according to established legal procedures.
The immigration case against the former minister is currently pending before the Annandale Immigration Court, where he is expected to reappear on April 27, 2026.
The hearing will determine key questions regarding his immigration status and whether he may remain in the United States while other legal proceedings unfold.
In January 2026, Judge David Gardey presided over a virtual hearing where Ofori-Atta made his first appearance before the immigration court.
During that session, the court examined a bond redetermination request and conducted an initial procedural review of the case. Ofori-Atta joined the hearing remotely from the detention facility, dressed in a black shirt and wearing spectacles and a nose mask.
His legal team successfully petitioned the court to conduct both the bond hearing and the related master calendar proceedings behind closed doors, arguing that sensitive legal and personal matters would be discussed.
Judge Gardey granted the request and ordered that the proceedings be held privately.
While the immigration proceedings continue in the United States, the legal case against Ofori-Atta remains active in Ghana.
The former finance minister, along with five other individuals, faces more than 70 criminal counts connected to multiple corruption investigations.
Among the key allegations are claims that the Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) revenue assurance contract caused financial losses estimated at over GH¢1.4 billion to the state.
The charges form part of broader investigations conducted by the Office of the Special Prosecutor, which has accused the former minister of corruption and corruption-related offences during his tenure as finance minister from 2017 to 2024.
Prosecutors have argued that his presence in the United States has delayed the trial process in Ghana and have therefore sought his extradition through diplomatic and legal channels.
Ofori-Atta’s legal strategy in the United States now appears focused on resisting deportation while simultaneously pursuing permanent residency, a move that could complicate the efforts to secure his return.
With the April 27 immigration hearing approaching, the outcome may determine whether the former minister remains in U.S. custody, secures legal residency protections, or becomes subject to deportation or extradition proceedings.
COMMENTS