A lawyer representing Ghana’s former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, states that his client is pursuing permanent residency in the United States instead of returning to Ghana, where he fears he may not receive a fair trial concerning allegations of corruption.
Mr. Ofori-Atta is presently detained at a facility managed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Virginia, following his arrest by U.S. immigration officials in January for exceeding the duration of his visa.
His attorney, Enayat Qasimi, informed Semafor.com, a U.S.-based news outlet, that his client has a “pathway to residency” in the United States and plans to follow it. Defence policy review
He also expressed concerns about the independence of Ghana’s judiciary, asserting that Mr Ofori-Atta has been subjected to a “political witch hunt” and may not receive a fair trial on alleged financial misconduct during his 2017-2024 term.
The office of the Attorney-General’s Department (Ghana) has chosen not to comment on the situation.
In the meantime, Ghana has officially submitted an extradition request to the United States for Mr. Ofori-Atta’s return. U.S. officials have confirmed to Semafor that the request has been acknowledged.
Mr. Ofori-Atta is anticipated to reappear before the Annandale Immigration Court in Virginia on April 27 after proceedings concerning his immigration status were postponed. Regional news coverage
He initially appeared before the court in January during a virtual session overseen by Judge David Gardey. The session concentrated on a bond redetermination and an initial assessment of the case.
Mr. Ofori-Atta participated in the hearing from the Caroline Detention Centre, dressed in a black shirt, wearing spectacles and a nose mask.
His visitor visa, which was set to expire in February, was subsequently revoked by U.S. authorities. Court documents reveal that he had previously been instructed to depart the United States by November 29 of the previous year but did not comply, resulting in his lack of lawful immigration status.
During the hearing, his legal representatives effectively petitioned for the bond hearing and master calendar proceedings to take place in private, referencing the delicate nature of the matters at hand. The judge approved the petition.
In Ghana, Mr. Ofori-Atta along with five other individuals are confronted with over 70 criminal charges associated with various corruption inquiries. The cases encompass claims that a contract granted to Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) resulted in a financial detriment exceeding GH¢1.4 billion to the government.
