Ken Ofori-Atta is the former Minister of Finance
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has revealed that former Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta is expected to appear before an immigration judge in the United States on January 20, 2026.
According to him, this follows Ofori-Atta’s arrest and detention by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on January 6, 2026, in Washington, DC.
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Explaining the legal process Ofori-Atta may face in the US after his visa revocation, Dr Ayine stated that he has the right to appeal through the district court, the circuit court of appeals, and potentially the US Supreme Court.
“In this current matter, he will appear before an immigration judge on January 20th [2026]. He has a right to appeal that decision to a district court. From the district court, it can go to a circuit court of appeals. Then from there to the United States Supreme Court,” he said.
He added that these legal processes will determine whether Ofori-Atta is allowed to remain in the US or is repatriated to Ghana, should he decline to return voluntarily.
“That is potentially the legal pathway to the determination as to whether or not he should be taken from America. If he doesn’t self-deport, this is what is going to happen,” he explained.
The AG also noted that any extradition proceedings would follow a similar multi-level judicial pathway.
“In the extradition case, again, a district court will hear the proceedings and make a determination as to whether to extradite him. If he’s not happy about that, he can go to a circuit court of appeal and to the United States of America,” he added.
Meanwhile, he has assured Ghanaians and legal representatives of Ofori-Atta that he will be given a fair trial.
“John Ashcroft, the former Attorney General of the United States of America called me and said he was the one representing Ken Ofori-Atta in the matter, but his concerns and reason for calling me was for me to assure him that when Ken is returned to Ghana, he’ll get a fair trial.
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“And I assured him of the fact that under this government and in accordance with Article 19 of the constitution, his right to a fair trial is guaranteed. Ken Ofori-Atta is not a person that will come here, and we’re going to treat him very shabbily and so on and so forth. He will be accorded due process of law. His fair trial rights will be guaranteed, and so on,” he disclosed.
MAG/EB
Meanwhile, watch as NDC MPs and party leadership pay tribute to late Naser Toure Mahama
Source:
www.ghanaweb.com