Ghana’s former Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, has been released from detention by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after issues regarding his immigration status.
Checks by Accra-based Citi News at the Caroline Detention Facility, an ICE-operated centre, confirmed that his name no longer appears on the detention list. Officials at the facility did not provide further details but verified that he has been released.
Mr Ofori-Atta had been in ICE custody since January 2026.
In a public notice issued on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, his lawyers, Minkah-Premo, Osei-Bonsu, Bruce-Cathline and Partners (MPOBB), clarified that the detention was linked to questions regarding his continued stay in the United States, not any criminal wrongdoing.
Also read: Ofori-Atta secures bail in US as ‘missing’ extradition papers stall case
Despite his release, Mr Ofori-Atta remains at the centre of multiple legal challenges. He and five others are facing more than 70 criminal charges linked to ongoing corruption investigations.
The cases include allegations that a contract awarded to Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) resulted in a financial loss of more than GH¢1.4 billion to the state.
The Government of Ghana formally submitted an extradition request to the United States in February 2026, seeking his return. U.S. authorities have since confirmed receipt of the request.
Mr Ofori-Atta was expected to reappear before the Annandale Immigration Court in Virginia on April 27, after earlier proceedings relating to his immigration status were adjourned.
He first appeared before the court in January during a virtual hearing presided over by Judge David Gardey. The session focused on a bond redetermination and an initial review of the case. Mr Ofori-Atta joined the hearing from the Caroline Detention Facility, wearing a black shirt, spectacles, and a nose mask.
His visitor visa, which was due to expire in February, was subsequently revoked by U.S. authorities. Court documents indicate he had earlier been directed to leave the United States by November 29, 2025, but failed to comply, leaving him without lawful immigration status.
During the proceedings, his lawyers successfully requested that the bond hearing and master calendar sessions be held behind closed doors, citing the sensitive nature of the case. The judge granted the request.
Mr Ofori-Atta, who served as Finance Minister from 2017 to early 2024 under the administration of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has been under investigation over decisions taken during his tenure.
In June 2025, the Office of the Special Prosecutor, led by Kissi Agyebeng, initiated processes for an INTERPOL Red Notice following his failure to honour multiple invitations to question him in relation to the investigations.
The move, announced at a press briefing in Accra on June 2, 2025, was intended to facilitate his possible arrest and extradition.
However, the Red Notice has since been withdrawn, meaning his details no longer appear in INTERPOL’s database, and member countries are no longer required to act on the alert.
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