US court to hear Ken-Ofori Atta's case in private hearing

A United States court has ruled that the case involving Ghana’s former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, will be heard in private.

This follows a request by Ofori-Atta’s lawyer, Christopher Chaisson, who prayed for the proceedings to be held in private, a request the presiding judge granted after an overwhelming public interest in the advertised virtual hearing on January 20, 2026.

Many Ghanaians joined the virtual hearing via the link provided.

"We would like both hearings to be closed to the public. However, with respect to the bond hearing, we would like to have that held as soon as humanly possible," Ken Ofori-Atta's counsel noted.

Following his request, the presiding judged ruled that the case be heard in private.

"I understand. So all the individuals who are in the WebEx, the matter is going to be held as a private hearing under United States immigration law. If either party requests that a hearing be closed to the public, under the circumstances, the court is going to close this hearing.

"So if anyone in the WebEx who is here to view this hearing, either the bond hearing or the master calendar hearing, you should leave the hearing now because we cannot proceed until you have left the WebEx."

Ken Ofori-Atta, who was arrested and detained by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), appeared before the court on January 20, 2026.

The former Finance Minister remains in detention following the hearing, which was streamed online.

Meanwhile, Ofori-Atta is a suspect in multiple criminal investigations being conducted by Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

The OSP has declared him wanted and has 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. The 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.

3. The procurement of contractors, materials, and related payments for the National Cathedral project.

4. Activities and payments related to 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 from, and the utilisation of funds within, the Tax Refund Account of the Ghana Revenue Authority.

JHM/AM