Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has been taken into custody by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over questions surrounding his immigration status, his lawyers have confirmed.
In a public notice dated Tuesday, January 7, 2026, Mr. Ofori-Atta’s legal team said the detention is strictly an immigration matter and not connected to the criminal investigations he faces in Ghana.
According to the statement, his attorneys in the United States are already engaging ICE officials and are confident the situation will be settled quickly.
The notice explained that Mr. Ofori-Atta has filed a petition for adjustment of status, a process that allows an individual to remain in the United States legally after a visa expires.
“Mr. Ofori-Atta has a pending petition for adjustment of status, which authorizes a person to stay in the United States legally beyond the period of validity of their visa,” the statement said, describing the procedure as routine under U.S. immigration law.
His lawyers further emphasised that he is cooperating fully with authorities.
“The public is therefore advised to note that Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta, as a law-abiding person, is fully cooperating with ICE to have this issue resolved,” the notice added.
Mr. Ofori-Atta has been in the United States since January 2025, which he has previously said was for medical reasons.
Meanwhile, the detention comes amid mounting legal pressure from Ghana.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has declared the former finance minister wanted over a series of corruption and financial loss investigations, including dealings linked to Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) and the National Cathedral project.
The Special Prosecutor has earlier warned Mr. Ofori-Atta to return to Ghana voluntarily or face forced measures.
In addition, Ghana’s Attorney-General has submitted a formal extradition request to U.S. authorities, indicating that Mr. Ofori-Atta and a former aide are expected to answer to 78 corruption-related charges.
Despite the developments, Mr. Ofori-Atta’s legal team insists he is not evading justice. They maintain that he is prepared to engage with all lawful processes once formally required, even as he works to resolve both his immigration situation in the United States and the legal challenges awaiting him in Ghana.
