A United States immigration court has adjourned proceedings in the case involving Ghana’s former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, to April 27, 2026.
Mr Ofori-Atta appeared before the Annandale Immigration Court in Virginia on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, as hearings continued over his immigration status.
He was seen in a dark shirt and face mask during the session.
Background
The hearing followed his detention earlier this month by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). U.S. authorities contend that Mr Ofori-Atta no longer has lawful status in the country following the revocation of his visitor visa.
The matter was presided over by Immigration Judge David Gardey and focused on a bond redetermination as well as a preliminary review of the case. Court records show that Mr Ofori-Atta is currently being held at the Caroline Detention Center.
He was represented by a legal team that included Christopher Chaisson of Whiteford Taylor & Preston and Kwao Amagashi, described in court as his long-time immigration counsel.
During the proceedings, Mr Ofori-Atta’s lawyers requested that both the bond hearing and the related master calendar hearing be closed to the public, citing the sensitive nature of issues expected to arise. Judge Gardey granted the request and ordered all non-parties observing via Webex to exit before the hearings continued.
Mr Ofori-Atta faces multiple criminal charges in Ghana and has been declared wanted by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) over alleged corruption and related offences. These include matters linked to the Strategic Mobilization Ghana Limited contract and other procurement-related issues.
Further hearings are anticipated as the case progresses.
