Ken Ofori-Atta’s US Immigration case to be heard on June 15

Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is scheduled to appear before a United States immigration court on June 15, 2026, in a high-stakes hearing that could significantly influence both his efforts to secure residency in the US and Ghana’s attempt to have him returned to face criminal charges.

According to court records, the case has been set for an individual hearing at 1:00 p.m. before Judge David A. Gardey at the Annandale Immigration Court in Virginia. The proceedings are expected to take place virtually, allowing all parties to participate remotely.

This upcoming hearing follows Mr. Ofori-Atta’s recent release from the custody of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement on April 7, 2026. His release was granted after a court approved bail set at $65,000, ending a period of detention that began earlier in the year.

His Ghana-based legal team, Minkah-Premo, Osei-Bonsu, Bruce-Cathline and Partners, confirmed his release at the time, noting that he had reunited with his family and was preparing to continue his legal defence.

“Mr Ofori-Atta remains fully committed to using due process in defence of his rights as guaranteed under the Constitution and laws of the United States,” the lawyers stated.

The June 15 hearing is expected to go beyond preliminary or procedural matters and delve into the substance of his immigration case. Legal observers anticipate that the court will examine arguments regarding his continued stay in the United States, including his eligibility for residency and any potential legal barriers.

Reports indicate that Mr. Ofori-Atta entered the United States on May 28, 2025, using a visitor’s visa that expired on November 27, 2025. His continued stay beyond the authorised period led to his arrest by ICE on January 6, 2026, in Washington, D.C., triggering the current immigration proceedings.

Meanwhile, authorities in Accra are actively seeking his return to Ghana, where he is expected to face more than 70 criminal charges alongside five other individuals as part of ongoing corruption-related investigations.

Among the issues under scrutiny are allegations connected to the Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited contract, which has become a focal point in the broader investigation into financial dealings during his tenure.

Mr. Ofori-Atta’s US-based lawyer, Enayat Qasimi, has argued that his client is pursuing a legitimate “pathway to residency” in the United States. He has also raised concerns about the possibility of a fair trial in Ghana, suggesting that the legal actions against his client may be influenced by political considerations.

During his time in office, Mr. Ofori-Atta served under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo from 2017 until early 2024, playing a central role in shaping Ghana’s economic policies. He was widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the New Patriotic Party administration.

His tenure included overseeing Ghana’s 2023 bailout programme with the International Monetary Fund, a critical intervention aimed at stabilising the economy during a period of severe fiscal distress. However, his time in office was also marked by strong public criticism, particularly over Ghana’s debt crisis and the implementation of the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme, which significantly impacted bondholders and pensioners.

The outcome of the June 15 hearing is expected to be closely monitored in both Ghana and the United States, as it may determine whether Mr. Ofori-Atta remains in America to pursue residency or moves closer to being returned to Ghana to face trial.