Ken Ofori-Atta to face substantive US immigration hearing in June

On June 15, 2026, former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is set to appear in a United States immigration court for a hearing that will determine his residency status in America, with potential implications for his extradition to Ghana.

The individual hearing, scheduled for 1 PM before Judge David A. Gardey at the Annandale Immigration Court in Virginia, will be conducted virtually. This hearing follows Ofori-Atta’s release from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody on April 7, 2026, after he posted a $65,000 bail.

Legal and Immigration Background

Ofori-Atta’s legal troubles in the U.S. began after he reportedly entered the country on May 28, 2025, for medical treatment. While his visitor's visa was initially set to expire in November 2025, Ghanaian authorities have stated that the U.S. State Department revoked his visa earlier that year, triggering federal enforcement action. He was subsequently arrested by ICE on January 6, 2026, in Washington, D.C.

His U.S. legal team, led by Enayat Qasimi, is currently pursuing a "pathway to residency," arguing that Ofori-Atta may not receive a fair trial in Ghana due to political motivations.

Criminal Charges in Ghana

In Accra, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has declared Ofori-Atta a fugitive from justice. He faces78 countsof corruption and corruption-related offenses, which include:

- SML Contract:Allegations of procurement breaches and financial irregularities involving a GH¢125 million contract between the Ghana Revenue Authority and Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML).

- National Cathedral:Scrutiny over the $400 million National Cathedral Project.

- Other Contracts:Alleged misconduct regarding the procurement of ambulances and the termination of a contract between the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and Beijing Xiao Cheng Technology (BXC).

Ongoing Extradition Efforts

The Ghanaian government submitted a formal extradition packet to the U.S. Department of Justice in December 2025. While a trial against Ofori-Atta and seven others is technically ongoing in Ghana’s High Court, progress has been stalled due to the inability to serve the former minister in person.

The June 15 hearing is a significant milestone; it will move beyond procedural bail matters to examine the merits of Ofori-Atta’s stay in the U.S. and his defense against deportation. The outcome will be closely monitored as a decisive factor in whether one of the most influential figures of the previous administration will return to face trial in Ghana.