Ghana’s former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has been released from U.S. immigration detention, but his legal challenges both in the United States and Ghana continue to intensify.
Checks at the Caroline Detention Facility confirmed that he is no longer in custody, bringing an end to his detention since January 2026 over immigration-related issues.
His lawyers had earlier clarified that the detention was not linked to any criminal offence but rather concerns about his immigration status.
Despite his release, Mr. Ofori-Atta remains under significant legal scrutiny. He and five others are facing more than 70 criminal charges tied to ongoing corruption investigations in Ghana, including allegations involving a contract with Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) that reportedly caused a financial loss exceeding GH¢1.4 billion to the state.
The Government of Ghana has already initiated steps to bring him back to face trial, submitting a formal extradition request to U.S. authorities in February 2026. Meanwhile, he is expected to reappear before the Annandale Immigration Court in Virginia on April 27 as proceedings over his immigration status continue.
Court documents indicate that his visa had been revoked after he failed to comply with an earlier directive to leave the United States by November 2025, leaving him without lawful status.
Mr. Ofori-Atta, who served under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has also been under investigation by the Office of the Special Prosecutor, led by Kissi Agyebeng. Although an INTERPOL Red Notice was previously initiated, it has since been withdrawn.
His release from detention marks a new phase in the unfolding legal saga, with attention now shifting to extradition proceedings and the outcome of multiple cases awaiting him in Ghana.
