Former Minister of Finance, Kenneth Nana Yaw Kuntunkununku Ofori-Atta, is appearing before a United States immigration court today, Tuesday, January 20, 2026, for a virtual Master Calendar hearing.
According to lawyers for the former Minister, the hearing is an initial immigration session focused on Mr. Ofori-Atta’s status following his arrest earlier this month by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The session is being conducted virtually from the Caroline Detention Facility in Virginia, where he is being held in ICE custody.
While Mr. Ofori-Atta’s legal team maintains that the case before the U.S. court is strictly administrative, the Ghanaian government is actively pursuing his extradition in relation to multiple corruption charges.
His lead counsel, Frank Davies, described the proceedings as “purely an immigration matter” involving an adjustment of status, and rejected claims that the hearing itself is an extradition process.
However, the Deputy Attorney-General, Justice Srem Sai, stated that Mr. Ofori-Atta’s visa was not merely expired but revoked in June 2025.
Justice Srem Sai also disclosed that Ghana’s Ministry of Justice and Attorney-General’s Department was directly involved in the process that led to the detention of former Minister for Finance
Meanwhile, pressure is mounting both in Ghana and abroad for his return to face trial.
Pressure group Arise Ghana has announced plans to begin an indefinite picketing exercise at the United States Embassy in Accra starting today, January 20, 2026.
The group is demanding the immediate extradition of Mr. Ofori-Atta to Ghana to face corruption-related charges.
Protest organisers say the demonstrations will run daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. until the demands are met.
Mr. Ofori-Atta was formally charged in absentia in November 2025 with 78 counts of corruption.
At the centre of the case is the Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) scandal, which involves so-called revenue assurance contracts between the Ghana Revenue Authority and SML.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor has alleged that the contracts were unnecessary and caused a $128 million, or GH₵1.4 billion, loss to the state.
If the U.S. immigration court denies Mr. Ofori-Atta’s request to adjust his status, m analysts say he could face deportation or remain in detention while the U.S. Department of Justice considers Ghana’s formal extradition request.
