U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) released former Ghanaian Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta after a hiccup with his immigration status. A visit to the Caroline ICE-operated Detention Facility showed that his name had been removed from the list of detainees. Officials at the facility declined further comment even though they confirmed his release. The Former Finance Minister has been in ICE custody since January 2026.
His lawyers, Minkah-Premo, Osei-Bonsu, Bruce-Cathline, and Partners (MPOBB), announced in a press release dated January 7, 2026 that he had been apprehended following issues with his residential status in the United States, and not on account of criminal issues. Ken Ofori-Atta remains involved in some ongoing legal battles after his release fromICE custody. Together with five others, Mr. Ofori-Atta faces over 70 criminal charges in connection with ongoing investigations into corruption cases.
One such charge alleges that the state suffered a loss to the tune of over GH¢1.4 billion arising from a contract awarded to Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML). The government of Ghana had in February 2026 requested the U.S. to extradite Mr. Ofori-Atta. U.S. officials later confirmed that the request had been received.
The former Finance Minister, was due back in the Annandale Immigration Court in Virginia, on April, April 27th, following a series of continuances relating to his immigration status. Mr. Ofori-Atta first appeared in the U.S. court system virtually in January, when he was presented to the court during a preliminary hearing concerning a bond redetermination by Judge David Gardey.
He appeared via a video conference, while incarcerated at the Caroline Detention Facility wearing a mask, glasses, and a black t-shirt. A month later, the U.S. government rescinded the guest visa, the document which was to expire in the month, of February. Mr. Ofori-Atta was given a deadline of November 29, 2025 to depart the United States but remained, causing his immigrations status to become illegal according to his documents.
However, his attorneys successfully lobbied the court to continue bond hearings and master calendar proceedings under seal, citing the nature of the immigration proceedings. The judge granted their motion. As finance minister to Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo between 2017 and early 2024, Ofori-Atta’s fiscal decisions came under public scrutiny.
The procedure for an INTERPOL Red Notice was initiated by the Office of the Special Prosecutor headed by Kissi Agyebeng in June 2025 after a number of interview requests related to the investigation into his activities were rejected by Kissi Agyebeng.
The step to secure his extradition and arrest, disclosed during a press conference held in Accra on June 2, 2025.
The Red Notice has however been cancelled meaning that his details are not available on INTERPOL database and member states have no duty to react to it
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