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Ghana’s former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has been detained by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The detention has been attributed to immigration status issues, with his lawyers assuring the public that efforts are underway to secure his release.
In a public notice issued on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, Ghana-based law firm Minkah-Premo, Osei-Bonsu, Bruce-Cathline and Partners (MPOBB) explained that the action by ICE was linked to questions surrounding Mr Ofori-Atta’s continued stay in the United States, rather than any criminal wrongdoing.
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According to the statement, Mr Ofori-Atta has a pending petition for adjustment of status, a legal process under U.S. immigration law that allows an individual to remain in the country beyond the validity of their original visa while their application is being considered.
The law firm disclosed that Mr Ofori-Atta’s U.S. legal team is in active engagement with ICE and is confident the matter will be resolved promptly.
The lawyers further stressed that the former finance minister is cooperating fully with U.S. immigration authorities and remains a law-abiding individual. They urged the public to remain calm, noting that the situation is procedural in nature and expected to be settled expeditiously through legal channels.
“The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as of yesterday, detained the former Minister for Finance, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, regarding the status of his current stay in the United States. His US legal team is in contact with ICE and expects the matter to be resolved expeditiously.
“Mr Ofori-Atta has a pending petition for adjustment of status, which authorises a person to stay in the US legally past the period of validity of their visa. Under US law, a change of status by this method is common.
“The public is, therefore, advised to note that he is a law-abiding person and is fully cooperating with ICE to have this issue resolved.”
The detention adds to the legal woes the former finance minister is currently facing.
He is among eight persons facing 78 counts of alleged corruption in relation to the Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) revenue assurance contract with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
The charges reportedly include 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, disclosed that an extradition order for Mr Ofori-Atta had been transmitted to the United States of America.
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