Ghana’s former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, is seeking permanent residency in the United States instead of returning to Ghana to face corruption-related allegations, according to his lawyer.
Ofori-Atta is currently being held at a detention facility run by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Virginia after U.S. immigration authorities arrested him in January for overstaying his visa.
His lawyer, Enayat Qasimi, told the U.S.-based publication Semafor that the former minister has a “pathway to residency” in the United States and intends to pursue it.
Qasimi argued that his client fears he may not receive a fair trial if returned to Ghana, describing the investigations against him as a “political witch hunt.” The allegations relate to Ofori-Atta’s tenure as finance minister from 2017 to 2024.
The Attorney-General’s Department declined to comment when contacted.
However, the Ghanaian government has formally requested Ofori-Atta’s extradition from the United States. U.S. officials confirmed to Semafor that the request has been received and is under consideration.
Ofori-Atta is expected to appear again before the Annandale Immigration Court in Virginia on April 27 after the court adjourned proceedings on his immigration status.
He first appeared before the court in January during a virtual session overseen by Judge David Gardey. The hearing focused on a bond redetermination and the initial review of his case.
Joining the hearing from the Caroline Detention Facility, Ofori-Atta appeared wearing a black shirt, spectacles and a nose mask.
His visitor visa, which was originally due to expire in February, was later revoked by U.S. authorities. Court documents show he had previously been directed to leave the United States by November 29 last year but remained in the country, leaving him without lawful immigration status.
During the hearing, his legal team successfully requested that both the bond hearing and master calendar proceedings be conducted behind closed doors because of the sensitive issues involved. The judge approved the request.
Back in Ghana, Ofori-Atta and five others face more than 70 criminal charges stemming from multiple corruption investigations. Among them are allegations that a contract awarded to Strategic Mobilisation Limited resulted in a financial loss exceeding GH¢1.4 billion to the state.
