GhArticles.com Every News in Detail
Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has been detained by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over issues relating to his immigration status, his lawyers have confirmed.
In a public notice issued on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, Ghana-based law firm Minkah-Premo, Osei-Bonsu, Bruce-Cathline and Partners (MPOBB) clarified that the detention is not linked to any criminal offence but rather concerns questions about Mr Ofori-Atta’s continued stay in the United States.
According to the firm, Mr Ofori-Atta has a pending petition for adjustment of status, a legal process under U.S. immigration law that permits an individual to remain in the country beyond the validity of their original visa while their application is being processed.
The statement noted that Mr Ofori-Atta’s U.S. legal team is in active discussions with ICE and is confident that the matter will be resolved promptly.
The lawyers emphasised that the former finance minister is fully cooperating with U.S. immigration authorities and remains a law-abiding individual. They urged the public to remain calm, describing the situation as procedural and expected to be settled through the appropriate legal channels.
Meanwhile, the detention comes amid ongoing legal challenges facing Mr Ofori-Atta in Ghana. He is among eight individuals facing 78 counts of alleged corruption linked to the Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) revenue assurance contract with the Ghana Revenue Authority.
The charges reportedly involve alleged breaches of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), and the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663). In December, the Attorney-General, Dr Dominic Ayine, disclosed that an extradition request for Mr Ofori-Atta had been transmitted to the United States.
