Ghana’s former finance minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, who is needed at residence on suspicion of corruption, has been detained by United States immigration authorities, in line with his legal professionals.
Ofori-Atta, 66, has been in america since January final 12 months to obtain medical remedy, together with surgical procedure for prostate most cancers. His authorized group mentioned he had utilized to increase his keep within the nation.
In a press release launched on Wednesday, his legal professionals disclosed that officers of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement took Ofori-Atta into custody on Tuesday over “the standing of his present keep in america.”
The previous minister was declared a fugitive by Ghanaian authorities in February final 12 months and was formally charged with corruption in November.
His legal professionals, nonetheless, mentioned his US authorized group was in touch with ICE and anticipated the matter to be resolved rapidly, including that Ofori-Atta was totally cooperating with immigration authorities.
ICE’s on-line detainee database listed him as being held at a facility within the US state of Virginia.
Ofori-Atta served as Ghana’s finance minister from 2017 to 2024 beneath former President Nana Akufo-Addo, a interval marked by controversial tax reforms and negotiations with the Worldwide Financial Fund (IMF) geared toward stabilising the nation’s economic system.
