More details are emerging on the reasons former Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta, who had been detained for several months by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), was granted bail.
According to a report by myjoyonline.com, the former Finance Minister, who has been declared a wanted fugitive by Ghana’s Special Prosecutor, was released through a private bond company, reportedly for a substantial sum, because the lawyers of ICE failed to prove that there was an extradition request against him.
Because of the absence of the extradition documentation, the court ruled that it could not legally consider him a flight risk, an argument made by Ofori-Atta’s legal team.
The immigration judge presiding over the case, Judge David A. Gardey, previously told lawyers handling Ofori-Atta’s immigration case that the court “cannot act on assertions without proof.”
Judge Gardey insisted that documented evidence of an extradition request be provided before he considers any decision on bond or release, according to a report by myjoyonline.com.
The report indicated that the US Attorney General’s Office has not provided a copy of Ghana’s extradition request to the State Attorney for submission to the court.
It said that its sources have indicated that the reasons for the delay in the submission of the extradition document are not clear.
“In the absence of sighting a copy of the extradition request, he could not be deemed a flight risk,” a source familiar with the matter is quoted as having said.
The report also indicated that US authorities have confiscated Ofori-Atta’s passport, and he is set to appear before the court for the continuation of his deportation hearing on April 27, 2026.
US authorities seize Ofori-Atta’s passport – Report
Ken Ofori-Atta is a suspect in multiple criminal investigations by Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), which has declared him wanted.
The OSP has listed the following cases for which Ofori-Atta is wanted:
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.
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.
Procurement of contractors, materials, and payments related to the National Cathedral project.
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.
Payments and utilisation of funds from the Tax Refund Account of the Ghana Revenue Authority.
