Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has been granted bail by a U.S. immigration court, with his passport confiscated as part of the conditions, according to sources familiar with the case.
He is expected to reappear in court on April 27 for deportation proceedings, as the case continues to face complications linked to missing documentation and jurisdictional delays.
Ofori-Atta’s release followed arguments by his legal team that, in the absence of a formal extradition request from Ghana, the court could not classify him as a flight risk—a key consideration in bail determinations. His bail was secured through a private bond company, reportedly involving a significant financial commitment.
During an earlier hearing in March 2026, the presiding judge had requested a copy of Ghana’s extradition request before ruling on the bail application, indicating that such documentation would be essential in assessing the risk of flight.
However, sources indicate that the United States Department of Justice, led by the Attorney General, has yet to provide the requested extradition documents to the State Attorney handling the case. The reason for the delay remains unclear.
“In the absence of sighting a copy of the extradition request, he could not be deemed a flight risk,” a source familiar with the proceedings noted.
Ofori-Atta was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on January 6, 2026, and detained at the Caroline Detention Facility in Virginia.
Back in Ghana, the Office of the Special Prosecutor continues to pursue a corruption case against the former minister and is awaiting his return to proceed with the matter.
