Passport Seized, Ofori-Atta Granted Bail as US Court Sets April 27 Hearing

Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has had his passport confiscated following his release on bail by a US immigration court, according to sources familiar with the case.

He is expected to reappear before the court on April 27, 2026, as deportation proceedings continue amid delays linked to missing extradition paperwork and jurisdictional concerns.

His release came after his legal team successfully argued that, in the absence of a formal extradition request from Ghana, the court could not legally classify him as a flight risk — a key requirement in determining bail conditions.

Ofori-Atta secured his release through a private bond company, reportedly involving a substantial financial guarantee.

At an earlier hearing in March 2026, the presiding judge had requested proof of Ghana’s extradition request before making a determination on his bail application, stressing that such documentation was critical in assessing flight risk.

However, sources indicate that the office of the United States Department of Justice has yet to provide the requested extradition documents to the State Attorney for submission in court. The reason for the delay remains unclear.

“In the absence of sighting a copy of the extradition request, he could not be deemed a flight risk,” a source close to the proceedings explained.

Ofori-Atta was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on January 6, 2026, and detained at the Caroline Detention Facility in Virginia.

Meanwhile, Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor continues to pursue a corruption case against him, awaiting his possible return to face prosecution.