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The U.S. Justice Department is actively pursuing an extradition request, according to Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, who expresses hope that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta would return to Ghana.
Mr. Ayine told media that he has been keeping a close eye on the former minister’s U.S. immigration issue and has been given confidential briefings on the subject.
“I monitored the hearing yesterday, and I have had reports from the United States regarding what has happened and what may happen, but these are confidential discussions,” he said. “The Justice Department is working on the extradition request. I am very hopeful.”
The remarks follow Ofori-Atta’s appearance before Immigration Judge David A. Gardey at a U.S. court in Virginia on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, where he was accused of having no legal right to stay in the nation after his visitor visa was revoked. His bail application was the primary subject of discussion at the moment.
U.S. state attorneys rejected the bail motion, claiming that Ghana had purportedly filed an extradition request, and the court postponed the hearings.
Citing a lack of documented evidence, Judge Gardey refrained to render a decision right away and ordered the federal government to provide documentation of any extradition request by February 19, 2026, at the latest.
Ayine clarified that the extradition procedure is not the same as the ongoing U.S. proceedings. “What is happening now is in relation to immigration law violations. That is separate and distinct from the extradition request. The Justice Department would have to formally file that before the immigration judge,” he stated.
After being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Ofori-Atta, who was Ghana’s Finance Minister from 2017 to 2023, has been in ICE custody since January 6, 2026. The closed-door hearing, which centered on a bail redetermination, was requested by his legal team.
A Public Notice released by his attorneys, Menka-Premo, Osei-Bonsu, Bruce-Cathline and Partners on January 7 stated that the US legal team is in communication with ICE and anticipates a prompt resolution of the issue.
“Mr. Ofori-Atta has a pending petition for adjustment of status, which authorizes a person to stay in the US legally past the period of validity of their visa. Under US law, a change of status by this method is common,” the lawyers explained.
“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,” they said.
The matter was heard at the Annandale Immigration Court before Immigration Judge David Gardey and focused on a bond redetermination as well as a preliminary review of his case. Court records indicate that Mr Ofori-Atta is currently being held at the Caroline Detention Center.
Available information suggests that a US visa may be revoked if the holder no longer meets the eligibility criteria. This may occur if they breach their status, engage in fraud, or otherwise meet a criterion for inadmissibility.
The court hearing aims to decide if Mr. Ofori-Atta can remain in the US or if he will be deported.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
