Ofori-Atta expected in U.S. Court today over immigration status

Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is expected to appear before a United States court today, Tuesday, January 20, 2026, over alleged immigration violations, amid growing indications that the case may be linked to ongoing investigations in Ghana.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has indicated that Ken Ofori-Atta lost his legal status to remain in the United States after his visa was revoked, a development that could pave the way for extradition proceedings to Ghana following the court hearing.

However, the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, has dismissed suggestions that the matter is a routine visa overstay, insisting that the former minister’s visa was formally withdrawn by U.S. authorities.

Speaking on Newsfile on Saturday, January 10, Dr Ayine revealed that although Mr Ofori-Atta had initially been granted permission to remain in the U.S. until November 29, 2025, he failed to leave the country as required.

He stressed that the action taken by U.S. authorities was deliberate and tied to investigations, rather than an administrative immigration lapse.

“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 No, it was revoked.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 stated.

According to the Attorney-General, Ghana’s request for extradition is connected to investigations being carried out by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) in relation to the SML matter.

“I have been working with the Americans diligently on him. And the visa was revoked. And that is why he lost his immigration status in the United States,” he added.

Meanwhile, former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, is also scheduled to appear before a U.S. court on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, for proceedings to determine her possible extradition to Ghana.

The outcomes of the court appearances are expected to shape the next phase of legal and extradition processes involving the two former public officials.

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