Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is expected to appear in a U.S. court today, Tuesday, January 20, 2026. Officials have confirmed this is the scheduled date for his appearance regarding alleged immigration violations.
This court appearance follows his recent detention by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which has asserted that Mr. Ofori-Atta overstayed his visitor visa and has thus forfeited his legal right to remain in the country.
ICE has indicated that the former minister’s visa was not simply expired but was officially revoked by U.S. authorities in June 2025. This assertion has been corroborated by Ghana’s Deputy Attorney-General, Justice Srem Sai, who dismissed previous claims that the situation was merely a standard visa overstay.
Deputy Attorney-General Justice Srem Sai has remarked that the revocation of the visa signifies that Mr. Ofori-Atta has effectively been residing in the United States without a valid immigration status.
“In June 2025, his visa was revoked; it is not merely an expiration of the visa. The information we possess indicates that his visa was revoked. Therefore, he has been living in America without a visa,” Justice Srem Sai elucidated during an interview.
He also revealed that Ghanaian authorities have worked closely with U.S. law enforcement agencies throughout the process that resulted in the former minister’s detention.
“We are actively engaged in this matter. We collaborate with law enforcement agencies regarding this issue,” he added.
Officials have indicated that the court proceedings may ascertain whether Mr. Ofori-Atta will be extradited to Ghana, where he is sought by the Attorney-General’s Department and the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
He is being investigated for alleged financial misconduct, including issues related to the SML deal and the National Cathedral project.
Justice Srem Sai has suggested that the former minister’s return to Ghana could occur sooner than anticipated.
“Ofori-Atta may return to Ghana sooner than anticipated,” he stated.
In a public announcement made on January 7, 2026, Mr. Ofori-Atta’s attorneys in the United States, Menka-Premo, Osei-Bonsu, Bruce-Cathline and Partners, acknowledged his detention by ICE but emphasized that he is fully cooperating with the authorities.
The legal team clarified that the former minister has a pending petition for adjustment of status, which they assert allows an individual to legally remain in the U.S. beyond the expiration of their visa.
“Mr. Ofori-Atta has a pending petition for adjustment of status, which permits an individual to stay in the U.S. legally beyond the validity period of their visa. According to U.S. law, changing status through this method is a common practice,” the statement indicated.
They also reassured the public that he is “a law-abiding individual” who is striving to resolve the situation promptly.
Mr. Ofori-Atta has been in the United States for an extended period seeking medical treatment for a chronic illness. However, the ongoing immigration case has complicated his situation and raised concerns about his ability to remain in the country.
While his attorneys have previously suggested that he would return to Ghana when necessary, recent developments imply that the timing of his return may now hinge on the outcome of the U.S. legal proceedings.
Today’s court hearing is expected to shed more light on his immigration status and any potential extradition proceedings.
