The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has described Ghana’s former Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, as an “illegal alien” who may face extradition in the coming days.

According to a report by TV3 dated January 15, 2026, an ICE spokesperson who spoke to one of the station’s journalists provided details surrounding the arrest of the former finance minister, indicating that Ken Ofori-Atta overstayed his permitted period of admission in the United States.

“Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta is an illegal alien from Ghana who is facing corruption and corruption-related charges in his home country. He entered the United States on May 28, 2025, on a visitor’s visa with an expiration date of November 27, 2025. Ofori-Atta overstayed his permitted admission,” the spokesperson stated.

Ken Ofori-Atta arrested and detained in the US

The ICE spokesperson further noted that the former finance minister is likely to face deportation to Ghana as a result of overstaying his authorised stay in the US.

He added that Ken Ofori-Atta has been taken through the appropriate legal procedures and will be accorded due process before a Justice Department immigration judge.

“He has been issued a notice to appear and will remain in ICE custody. He will be given due process before a Justice Department immigration judge,” the spokesperson said.

“The Trump administration has been abundantly clear: aliens must respect our laws or face the consequences. Overstaying a visa is an immigration law violation that can result in deportation,” he added.

Ofori-Atta is a suspect in multiple criminal investigations being conducted by Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), which has declared him wanted and 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. 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.

From ORAL to ICE: The breakdown of all Ken Ofori-Atta's woes

3. Procurement of contractors, materials, and payments related to the National Cathedral project.

4. Activities and payments associated with 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 and utilisation of funds from the Tax Refund Account of the Ghana Revenue Authority.

JHM/AM

Meanwhile, watch as Ghanaians respond to Ofori-Atta's detention