A United States immigration court has reportedly granted an I-485 petition filed by Ghana’s former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, clearing the way for him to proceed with obtaining lawful permanent resident status in the United States.
According to Asaase News, the application for adjustment of status was heard on Monday, during which the court examined Mr Ofori-Atta’s eligibility under U.S. immigration law.
The report says the judge raised questions about the circumstances surrounding criminal proceedings initiated against him in Ghana.
The court is also said to have considered details relating to actions by Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), including its earlier declaration of Mr Ofori-Atta as a fugitive from justice at a time he was reportedly receiving medical treatment in the United States, while his legal representatives were in communication with investigators in Ghana.
The report further indicates that a witness linked to Interpol and familiar with international law enforcement procedures also expressed concerns about aspects of the process followed by Ghanaian authorities.
Mr Ofori-Atta is currently facing charges in Ghana connected to his tenure as Finance Minister. The charges have, however, been questioned in some legal circles.
It is understood that the U.S. court questioned elements of the Ghanaian case in relation to whether the circumstances presented were consistent with a standard criminal prosecution. However, the ruling was made strictly within the context of U.S. immigration proceedings and does not constitute a determination of guilt or innocence regarding the charges in Ghana.
The matter remains subject to ongoing judicial processes in Ghana.
The I-485 application, formally known as the Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, allows eligible individuals already in the United States to apply for lawful permanent residency without returning to their home country.
In this case, the application was reportedly based on sponsorship by Mr Ofori-Atta’s adult son, who is a U.S. citizen. If fully approved, the process would grant him permanent residency, allowing him to live and work in the United States and potentially apply for citizenship in the future, subject to legal requirements.