Lawyers representing Ghana’s former Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, have indicated their intention to seek his release from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention on bond while his immigration proceedings continue.
During a virtual hearing at the Annandale Immigration Court in Virginia on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, Ofori-Atta appeared remotely from the Caroline Detention Facility, where he has been held since January 6, 2026, following his detention for allegedly overstaying his visa.
He joined the Webex proceedings dressed in a grey jacket over a black overall jumpsuit and wearing a nose mask.
The court session briefly paused to resolve a technical issue.
Upon resumption, Ofori-Atta’s attorney, Christopher Chisson, requested that the hearing be closed to the public due to the sensitive nature of the matters to be discussed.
The lawyer further prayed that the request for bond be heard urgently, possibly during the session.
“We would like the hearing to be closed to the public. However, with respect to the bond hearing, we would like to add that it be held as soon as humanly possible,” Chisson told the judge.
The presiding judge subsequently granted the request for a private hearing.
“So all the individuals in the Webex, the matter is going to be heard as a private hearing under United States Immigration law.” No further details about the closed proceedings or the bond application have been released to the public.
Ofori-Atta’s detention comes amid Ghana’s active pursuit of his extradition to face 78 counts of corruption and related offences linked to various high-profile contracts during his tenure.