In a scene reminiscent of a high-stakes action movie, Ghana’s former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, was dramatically apprehended by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Washington, DC, according to an exclusive eyewitness account shared by investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni.
During an interview on TV3’s Key Points show on Saturday, January 10, 2026, Manasseh detailed the swift and targeted operation based on reports from sources who witnessed the event.
According to Manasseh, the arrest occurred on the morning of Tuesday, January 6, 2026, as Ofori-Atta emerged from the Westlight Apartment Complex, a luxury residential building at 1111 24th Street NW in the city’s West End.
“It looks as if they had gone in specifically for him, because the sources say that as soon as he emerged from the entrance of the building, they moved in, surrounded him, got him into the car, and then drove him away,” Manasseh recounted.
The investigative journalist said, unlike routine ICE raids on multiple targets, the operation appeared meticulously planned and focused solely on the former minister.
He added that Ofori-Atta, following the arrest, was transported to the Caroline Detention Facility in Bowling Green, Virginia, approximately 89 miles south of the arrest site—a drive of about an hour and 30 minutes.
Manasseh said his sources indicated that Ofori-Atta had been residing in the upscale Westlight Complex, where his son and wife have also been spotted.
He, however, noted that it remains unclear whether the family owns or rents the property.
He underscored that the building has housed notable figures, including former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, who owned a two-bedroom condo there.
Manasseh revealed that Kamala Harris listed the unit for $1.995 million in April 2021 and sold it for $1.85 million later that year after moving into the vice-presidential residence.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr Justice Srem Sai, who was also a guest on the show, revealed that Ofori-Atta’s U.S. visa was revoked in June 2025, leading to an illegal overstay of about six months.
Dr Sai further corroborated Manasseh’s narration of Ofori-Atta’s arrest, describing it as consistent with briefings received by the government of Ghana. He further revealed that attempts by the government to reach out to Ken Ofori-Atta in ICE custody through Ghana’s embassy in the US have been rejected by the former Minister for Finance.
Ofori-Atta, 66, was detained by ICE on January 6, 2026, over questions related to his immigration status while he was in the U.S. for medical treatment, including surgery for prostate cancer.
In a public notice issued by his Ghanaian lawyers, Menka-Premo, Osei-Bonsu, Bruce-Cathline and Partners, on January 7, 2026, it was stated that Ofori-Atta has a pending petition for adjustment of status, which allows for legal stay beyond visa validity under U.S. law.
“Mr. Ofori-Atta has a pending petition for adjustment of status, which authorizes a person to stay in the US legally past the period of validity of their visa. Under US law, a change of status by this method is common,” the notice read.
It added that he is fully cooperating with ICE and that the matter is expected to be resolved expeditiously.
Ofori-Atta, who served as Finance Minister from 2017 to 2024 under President Nana Akufo-Addo, left Ghana in early 2025 for health reasons.
He was declared wanted by the Office of the Special Prosecutor in February 2025 on corruption allegations, including those related to the SML Deal and the National Cathedral project, and faces 78 counts alongside other accused individuals.