The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has detained Ghana’s former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, over issues relating to his immigration status.
According to a statement from his legal team, Minkah-Premo, Osei-Bonsu, Bruce-Cathline and Partners, the detention is linked to the status of his current stay in the United States. The lawyers said his US-based attorneys are in contact with ICE and expect the matter to be resolved swiftly.
The statement explained that Mr Ofori-Atta has a pending petition for adjustment of status, a legal process that allows individuals to remain in the US beyond the validity of their visa. His lawyers stressed that he is cooperating fully with immigration authorities and is law-abiding.
Mr Ofori-Atta is currently facing 78 charges alongside seven others in Ghana over contracts awarded to Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML). The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) alleges that the accused conspired to improperly influence procurement processes to secure contracts related to petroleum and minerals audit services. The alleged offences date back to 2017.
The former minister has been in the United States since January 2025, citing medical treatment. He has since been placed on an Interpol Red Notice by the OSP and is contesting both the notice and ongoing extradition efforts aimed at returning him to Ghana to face corruption-related investigations.
