Ghana’s former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has been detained by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over immigration-related issues, his lawyers have confirmed.
In a public notice issued on Wednesday, 7 January 2026, the Ghana-based law firm Minkah-Premo, Osei-Bonsu, Bruce-Cathline and Partners said the detention was linked to questions surrounding Mr Ofori-Atta’s immigration status and not to any criminal offence.
According to the statement, Mr Ofori-Atta has a pending petition for adjustment of status under US immigration law. The process allows individuals to remain legally in the country beyond the validity of their original visa while their application is under consideration.
The law firm said Mr Ofori-Atta’s US legal team is in active discussions with ICE and is confident the matter will be resolved promptly. It stressed that the former minister is fully cooperating with immigration authorities and described the situation as procedural in nature.
“Mr Ofori-Atta is a law-abiding individual who is cooperating fully with ICE to have this issue resolved expeditiously,” the statement said, urging the public to remain calm.
The development comes as the former finance minister faces mounting legal challenges in Ghana. Mr Ofori-Atta is among eight individuals facing a total of 78 counts of alleged corruption linked to the Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) revenue assurance contract with the Ghana Revenue Authority.
The charges reportedly include alleged breaches of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), and the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663).
Last month, Ghana’s Attorney General, Dr Dominic Ayine, disclosed that an extradition request for Mr Ofori-Atta had been transmitted to the United States, adding a further layer of complexity to the former minister’s legal situation.
