Ken Ofori-Atta appeared before the judge on January 20, 2026
Judge David A Gardey of the United States immigration court has called for proof directing the federal government to file any documentary evidence of an extradition request concerning former Ghanaian Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta on or before February 19, 2026.
Ken Ofori-Atta appeared before the judge on January 20, 2026, and was subsequently remanded into the custody of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following a closed-door immigration hearing held on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
The remand is pending further proceedings on his bail application.
According a myjoyonline.com report, the hearing, which was conducted in private at the request of his legal team, focused primarily on the bail request. However, state attorneys opposed the application, arguing that Ofori-Atta should not be granted bail because Ghana has allegedly submitted an extradition request for him.
In his ruling, Judge Gardey I reported to have declined to make an immediate determination on the extradition claim, noting that no documentary evidence had been presented to support the assertion.
“The court cannot act on assertions without proof,” the judge is quoted to have said, directing the federal government to submit any evidence of an extradition request on or before February 19, 2026.
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The case has been adjourned to Thursday, April 27, at 1:00 p.m., when the tribunal is expected to hear both the bail application and any documents the government may file. Until then, Ofori-Atta will remain in ICE detention.
Ken Ofori-Atta, who was arrested and detained by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), appeared before the court on January 20, 2026.
The former Finance Minister remains in detention following the hearing, which was streamed online.
Meanwhile, Ofori-Atta is a suspect in multiple criminal investigations being conducted by Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
The OSP has declared him wanted and has placed him on an Interpol Red Notice.
Below are the cases for which the OSP has declared Ofori-Atta wanted:
1. Contractual arrangements between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority, aimed at enhancing revenue assurance in the downstream petroleum sector, upstream petroleum production, and the minerals and metals resources value chain.
2. The termination of a contract between the Electricity Company of Ghana Limited and Beijing Xiao Cheng Technology (BXC) for the Distribution, Loss Reduction, and Associated Network Improvement Project.
3. The procurement of contractors, materials, and related payments for the National Cathedral project.
4. Activities and payments related to a contract awarded by the Ministry of Health (initially commenced by the Ministry for Special Development Initiatives) to Service Ghana Auto Group Limited for the purchase, after-sales service, and maintenance of 307 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 305 CDI ambulances for the National Ambulance Service.
5. Payments from, and the utilisation of funds within, the Tax Refund Account of the Ghana Revenue Authority.
AM
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Meanwhile, watch as Ghanaians respond to Ofori-Atta’s detention
