The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained former Ghanaian Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, on Tuesday over questions surrounding his current legal stay in the United States.
According to a statement from his US legal team, Ofori-Atta is fully cooperating with authorities as they work to resolve the matter swiftly.
The detention stems from his pending petition for adjustment of status a common US immigration process that allows individuals to extend their legal stay beyond an expired visa while their application is under review.
Justice Kusi-Minkah Premo Esq., signing on behalf of the law firm Minkah-Premo, Osei-Bonsu, Bruce-Cathline & Partners, confirmed the development in an official release.
“Mr. Ofori-Atta, as a law-abiding person, is fully cooperating with ICE to have this issue resolved expeditiously,” the statement read.
His legal representatives emphasized that the former minister remains in contact with ICE officials and anticipate a quick resolution.
Under US immigration law, adjustment of status is a standard procedure handled through US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It permits eligible non-citizens already in the country to apply for lawful permanent residency without departing the US, provided they meet criteria such as family sponsorship, employment qualifications, or other humanitarian grounds.
While specifics of Ofori-Atta’s petition were not disclosed, such applications can involve routine checks that occasionally lead to temporary detentions during processing.
The news has drawn attention in Ghana, because Ghana’s Attorney General formally requested the extradition of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta from the US to face 78 corruption-related charges linked to the SML scandal and other financial probes.
Attorney General Dr. Dominic Ayine announced in December 2025 that his office transmitted the extradition request to US authorities for Ofori-Atta and associate Ernest Darko Akore (also known as Ernest Akore).
The charges include causing financial loss to the state, using public office for private benefit, and irregularities in contracts like those with Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML).
This follows an Interpol Red Notice issued after Ofori-Atta was declared a fugitive for failing to appear for questioning by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
Ofori-Atta’s January 7, 2026, detention by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over his immigration status occurs amid these proceedings, though his legal team describes it as a routine adjustment of status issue unrelated to extradition.
No direct updates from the AG tie the detention to extradition progress as of January 8, 2026; the matter now rests with US judicial authorities to assess if there’s sufficient basis for return to Ghana.
Source: www.Kumasimail.com
