Ken Ofori-Atta Seeks Permanent US Residency As Ghana Pushes for His Extradition
- Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta's lawyer has indicated that his client is seeking US residency amid fears of an unfair trial in Ghana
- Ofori-Atta, who was detained in an ICE detention facility in Virginia for visa overstay, faces multiple corruption charges in Ghana
- The former Finance Minister's legal team claims a political witch hunt challenges Ofori-Atta's chance for a fair trial upon extradition
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A lawyer representing the former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has indicated that his client is pursuing permanent US residency instead of returning to Ghana, where he fears he would not be tried fairly on corruption charges.
Source: Facebook
Ken Ofori-Atta is being held in an ICE detention facility in Virginia after his arrest by US immigration officials in January 2026 for overstaying on a visa.
His legal representative, Enayat Qasimi, told news site Semafor that Ken Ofori-Atta has a “pathway to residency” that he would pursue.
The lawyer indicated that there were doubts about the independence of the Ghanaian judiciary and stated that Ken Ofori-Atta had been subjected to a “political witch hunt” that meant he was unlikely to receive a fair trial over alleged financial impropriety while in office, from 2017 to 2024.
The former Finance Minister during the Akufo-Addo administration is facing multiple charges of corruption, money laundering and using public office for profit, including allegations that the Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) contract caused a financial loss of more than GH¢1.4 billion to the state.
Ken Ofori-Attah is expected to return to Ghana to stand trial. Ghana’s Attorney-General has issued an extradition request, which could allow for the trial if he comes back to Ghana.
Source: Facebook
How Ken Ofori-Atta was arrested
According to Ghanaian investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, Ken Ofori-Atta was arrested around 11 am on January 6, 2026, when he stepped out of his apartment in the Westlight building, a high-end residential complex located at 1111 24th Street in Northwest Washington, DC.
The former Finance Minister lived in the apartment with his wife and son. The Westlight building is situated in one of Washington, DC’s most affluent neighbourhoods, about a 20-minute walk from the White House, and is known to house prominent personalities.
According to Manasseh, the arrest of the former Finance Minister seemed like a targeted operation since it didn't look like the typical mass arrest carried out in public places.
Ofori-Atta refuses to meet with Ghana's Embassy
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that the Embassy of Ghana in Washington, DC, confirmed the former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta's arrest and detention by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
A press statement issued by Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Victor Emmanuel Smith, said it got information about Ken Ofori-Atta's detention and took steps to verify and reach out to the detainee.
The statement indicated that the Embassy formally contacted the relevant detention facility to request access to him in order to offer consular assistance in line with diplomatic and international protocols.
However, the Embassy said Ken Ofori-Atta has refused to engage with consular officials for any form of assistance.
Social media users thronged the comment section to share their thoughts after the Embassy issued the statement.
Source: YEN.com.gh
