Ken Ofori-Atta: Photos of Former Finance Minister Before US Immigration Court Trend
- Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has appeared before a US court seeking to change his immigration status
- The former government official faces a potential extradition to Ghana over a visa overstay, after the Attorney General's Office applied to have him repatriated
- Photos showed Ofori-Atta's sombre demeanour as he arrived in court on Tuesday, January 20, 2026
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A photo of former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has emerged online as he appeared before a US Immigration court on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
Source: Instagram
Ofori-Atta, who is seeking to change his immigration status to avoid deportation to Ghana, was spotted wearing a black outfit.
The photos shared on Facebook by TV3 also showed the former Finance Minister wearing a face mask as he sat in the courtroom in a pensive mood.
See the Facebook photo below:
Moments later, business journalist and news presenter, Michael Ogbodu, shared photos purported to be from the courtroom.
See the Facebook photos below:
It is understood that Ken Ofori-Atta made a virtual appearance from the Caroline Detention Centre in Nevada.
The former Finance Minister, currently being sought in Ghana as the lead suspect in a corruption scandal, filed a court process to avoid possible deportation.
Ken Ofori-Atta detained by US ICE
The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Ofori-Atta on January 5, 2026, after overstaying his visitor visa and ultimately losing his legal status to remain in the country.
The ICE described Ofori-Atta as an illegal alien who had overstayed his permitted admission, adding that the former Finance Minister’s conduct amounts to a violation of U.S. immigration law, which could result in deportation.
Read also
Protesters storm U.S. Embassy in Accra to demand Ofori-Atta’s extradition: "Bring back Ken"
His arrest followed attempts by Ghanaian authorities to have him extradited to face trial after being charged by the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
Source: Getty Images
Dominic Ayine speaks on Ofori-Atta's detention
While Ofori-Atta's legal representatives in Ghana maintain that the court hearing is a normal immigration matter to change his status from a visitor to permanent stay, Attorney General Dominic Ayine thinks otherwise.
Speaking to Joy News on Saturday, January 10, 2026, the Attorney General explained that U.S. authorities had initially granted Mr Ofori-Atta until November 29, 2025, to leave the country, but he failed to comply.
“This is not exactly about immigration. His visa has not expired. It expires in February. No, it was revoked. I am telling you this on authority,” Dr Ayine said.
Dr Ayine further explained that Ghana’s extradition request is connected to investigations being conducted by the Office of the Special Prosecutor in relation to the SML matter.
Per Ayine's explanation, a determination on the former Finance Minister's possible extradition to Ghana may follow the court proceedings.
US promises non-interference in Ghana's extradition efforts
Meanwhile, YEN.com.gh reported that the US government had assured Ghana it would not interfere in efforts to extradite Ken Ofori-Atta and Sedina Tamakloe Attionu.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa confirmed this after meeting US officials in Accra.
Both Ofori-Atta and Tamakloe face corruption charges and are wanted by Ghana’s Special Prosecutor.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
