Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is scheduled to appear before a court in the United States on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, in connection with alleged breaches of U.S. immigration regulations.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has stated that Mr. Ofori-Atta remained in the country beyond the permitted period under his visitor’s permit, resulting in the loss of his legal status. The outcome of the court hearing could pave the way for a decision on whether he will be returned to Ghana.

However, Ghana’s Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has disputed assertions that the matter is simply a case of visa overstay. He maintained that U.S. authorities officially cancelled Mr. Ofori-Atta’s visa.

Addressing the issue in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Dr. Ayine explained that although Mr. Ofori-Atta had been granted permission to remain in the U.S. until November 29, 2025, he did not depart as required. He emphasized that the withdrawal of the visa was intentional and connected to ongoing investigations, rather than a routine immigration issue.

According to the Attorney-General, the visa was revoked before its original expiration date in February, leading directly to the loss of Mr. Ofori-Atta’s lawful status in the country.

Dr. Ayine further revealed that Ghana’s request for extradition is tied to investigations being handled by the Office of the Special Prosecutor, particularly concerning the SML case. He said Ghanaian authorities have been working closely with their U.S. counterparts on the matter.

In a related development, former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre, Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, is also expected to appear before a U.S. court on January 21, 2026, as part of proceedings to determine whether she will be extradited to Ghana.