Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta Detained by U.S. ICE Over Immigration Status
Lawyers assure public that the matter is procedural and expected to be resolved promptly
- Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has been detained by U.S. ICE over questions about his immigration status
- His lawyers confirmed the detention is procedural and that he is cooperating fully while a pending adjustment-of-status petition is processed
- Ofori-Atta faces ongoing legal challenges in Ghana
Ghana’s former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has been detained by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with the action reportedly linked to immigration status issues, not any criminal wrongdoing.
In a statement released on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, Ghana-based law firm Minkah-Premo, Osei-Bonsu, Bruce-Cathline & Partners (MPOBB) clarified that the detention arises from questions about Mr. Ofori-Atta’s continued stay in the U.S.
He currently has a pending petition for adjustment of status, a legal process that allows individuals to remain in the country beyond the validity of their visa while their application is being processed.
“Mr. Ofori-Atta is cooperating fully with U.S. immigration authorities and is a law-abiding individual. His legal team is in contact with ICE and expects the matter to be resolved expeditiously,” the law firm stated.
The lawyers emphasized that the detention is procedural in nature and encouraged the public to remain calm while legal channels address the situation.
This development comes amid ongoing legal proceedings in Ghana, where Mr. Ofori-Atta is among eight individuals facing 78 counts of alleged corruption related to the Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) revenue assurance contract with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
The charges reportedly involve alleged breaches of Section 23(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) and Section 92(2)(b) of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663).
Last month, the Attorney General, Dr. Dominic Ayine, revealed that an extradition order for Mr. Ofori-Atta had been transmitted to the United States, adding another layer to the former finance minister’s ongoing legal challenges.
