Dr Ayine speaks on Ken Ofori-Atta's return to Ghana, US court case

The Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has expressed hope that former finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta will be returned to Ghana, even as legal proceedings concerning his immigration status continue in the United States.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, Dr Ayine said American authorities are handling the matter strictly in line with US laws.

“The American authorities are handling the process, and they are handling it in accordance with American law. So far, I don’t find anything wrong with what has taken place,” he stated.

Dr Ayine disclosed that he has been following the hearing and has received briefings from US officials but stressed that details of those discussions remain confidential.

“I’ve had reports from the United States regarding what has happened and what may happen, but these are confidential discussions and I’m not supposed to talk to the media about what they have briefed me on,” he said.

He explained that the current court proceedings are separate from extradition.

“What is happening now is in relation to immigration law violations. That is separate and distinct from the extradition request. If it was put before the immigration judge that there’s an extradition request, he wants a formal filing before him. So the Justice Department would have to do that before a decision is taken,” he remarked.

While declining to give specific timelines, the Attorney General said he remains optimistic.

“I don’t control what happens with the Justice Department in the US, but I am very hopeful, extremely hopeful, that this will go through for Ken to come back to Ghana,” he added.

The former finance minister appeared before a United States immigration court in Annandale, Virginia, on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, following his arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on January 6, 2026.

US authorities argue that Ofori-Atta no longer has lawful status to remain in the country after his visitor visa was revoked.

The matter was heard before Immigration Judge David Gardey and focused on a bond redetermination and a preliminary review of the case.

During the proceedings, his counsel requested that both the bond hearing and the related master calendar hearing be closed to the public, citing the sensitive nature of the issues expected to be raised.

Judge Gardey granted the request and directed non-parties observing via Webex to exit before proceedings continued.

Ofori-Atta faces multiple criminal charges in Ghana related to alleged corruption and corruption-related offences, including issues arising from the Ghana Revenue Authority and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited contract and other procurement matters.

The hearing of the case has been adjourned to April 27, 2026.

Watch the video below:

I monitored Ken Ofori-Atta’s US court case and received confidential reports on the proceedings. Although the case involved immigration issues, I'm hopeful an extradition process will soon be initiated to return him to Ghana - AG, Dominic Akuritinga Ayine.#JoyNews pic.twitter.com/5FunPWqSvy

— JoyNews (@JoyNewsOnTV) January 21, 2026