Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has been released from the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement following a judicial order, after weeks of uncertainty surrounding his detention and potential deportation.
His release, confirmed in a statement on April 8, 2026, by his solicitor, Justice Kusi-Minkah Premo of Minkah-Premo, Osei-Bonsu, Bruce-Cathline & Partners, took effect on April 7.
“Mr. Ofori-Atta is home with his family,” the statement read, adding that he “remains fully committed to use due process in defence of his rights as guaranteed under the constitution and laws of the United States.”
Ofori-Atta was granted bail through a private bond company after his legal team argued that, without a formal extradition request from Ghana, the court could not legally classify him as a flight risk.
During a March 2026 hearing, the court had requested Ghana’s extradition documents before ruling on bail. However, sources indicate that the U.S. Attorney General has yet to provide the documents to the State Attorney handling the case, leaving a crucial gap in the proceedings. The reasons for this delay remain unclear.
Despite his release, Ofori-Atta is expected to reappear in court on April 27, 2026, for deportation proceedings.
His detention began on January 6, 2026, after ICE flagged his travel documents linked to compliance alerts from Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP). The OSP has been investigating allegations of corruption and abuse of office against Ofori-Atta, particularly related to the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme and other financial decisions during his tenure as Finance Minister.
His legal team has affirmed that he will continue to pursue all matters through lawful channels, even as Ghanaian authorities await his return to face the ongoing investigations.
