Deputy Attorney-General Justice Srem Sai has indicated that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, currently detained in the United States, could return to Ghana sooner than anticipated amid ongoing legal proceedings.
Speaking on TV3’s Key Points programme on Saturday, January 10, 2026, Justice Srem Sai revealed that Ghana’s Ministry of Justice and Attorney-General’s Department played a key role in the events leading to Ofori-Atta’s detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“We are keenly involved in this matter. We collaborate with law enforcement agencies in this matter,” he stated.
He further clarified that Ofori-Atta’s U.S. visa was revoked in June 2025, contrary to reports suggesting it had simply expired.
“June 2025, his visa was revoked; it’s not an expiration of the visa. The information we have is that his visa was revoked. So he has been living in America without a visa,” the Deputy AG explained, adding that ICE’s involvement stemmed from these visa irregularities.
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.