Renowned private legal practitioner, Lawyer Martin Kpebu, has said the information he is privy to shows that embattled former Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, who is now in the custody of United States (US) immigration authorities, had applied to become a permanent resident of the US.
Speaking in an interview on TV3, Kpebu said that he disclosed that Ofori-Atta’s son, who is a citizen of the United States, had filed an application for him to be a permanent resident months ago, but he was doubted.
He indicated that the recent public notice issued by lawyers of Ofori-Atta only affirms the information he disclosed.
“The lawyers admit that Ofori-Atta has a pending petition before the immigration authorities of the US to adjust his status in the US. That phrase, ‘to adjust his status in the US,’ is the part of it that says that he’s applied to change so he wants to become a permanent resident. That’s why he has a pending petition to adjust his status, a pending petition for permanent residence.
“I mentioned earlier that the information I got about two months ago was that his son had applied for him to become a permanent resident. So the son is a citizen of the US, and he has applied for Ofori-Atta to become a permanent resident. I know it takes some time, and that’s the process that he’s going through. Yes, if you’re a citizen of the US, you can file for your father, or you can file for your mother, but it takes some time, and that’s what he’s going to do,” he said.
He added, “So I’m happy that you see the lawyers have corroborated it somewhat. As I said a few months ago, about two months ago, when I first mentioned it, people were asking for my source, and even some others doubted it.”
Kpebu explained that Ofori-Atta gaining permanent residency would give him more rights, including the fact that he could stay in the US forever without requiring a visa.
“So from the name ‘permanent resident,’ it means that he will be a permanent resident in the US. Of course, he can travel freely. I mean, he can travel anywhere he wants to go and come back freely, which is better than those who use the B1 and B2 visas. When we say B1, B2, that’s the normal visitor’s visa or business trip visa. When you are a permanent resident, it gives you more rights in American society, etc., rather than going on a visitor’s or business trip visa,” he said.
Ken Ofori-Atta arrested and detained in the US
The lawyer went on to slam the Office of the Special Prosecutor for failing to heed calls to try the former finance minister in absentia months ago.
He asserted that OSP’s failure has given Ofori-Atta more time to explore his options, which will make it more difficult to get him back into Ghana to face justice.
