US court has granted Ken Ofori-Atta’s lawyers a private hearing as requested.
The Judge in the US court hearing the case involving former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta has granted a request by his lawyers for a private hearing.
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This followed overwhelming public interest in the advertised virtual hearing on January 20.
Many Ghanaians joined the virtual hearing via the link provided.Mr Ofori-Atta was seen wearing a dark blue shirt with a face mask on.
As more people joined the session, some technical challenges were experienced which necessitated a shutdown.
However, word came from the court that Mr Ofori-Atta’s lawyer requested the judge to grant him a private hearing. The plea was subsequently granted.
Mr Ken Ofori-Atta is currently in court for hearing in respect of the revocation of his US visa.On January 7, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested and detained Mr Ofori-Atta.
A Public Notice issued by his lawyers, Menka-Premo, Osei-Bonsu, Bruce-Cathline and Partners on January 7 said the US legal team is in contact with ICE and expects the matter to be resolved expeditiously.
“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 lawyers explained.
“The Public is therefore advised to note that Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta as a law-abiding person is fully cooperating with ICE to have this issue resolved,” they said.
Mr Ofori-Atta is wanted by the Attorney-General and the Office of the Special Prosecutor for offences related to the SML Deal, National Cathedral project etc.
He is currently in the US seeking medical care for a long-standing illness.
Later, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine and his deputy, Justice Srem Sai revealed that Mr Ofori-Atta US visa was revoked in June 2025.
Speaking on TV3’s The KeyPoints, Justice Srem Sai said that the US visa was revoked contrary to the report that the visa had expired.
He says this is the authentic information the A-G’s office received.“ICE will not come for you unless you have visa issues, that is what has happened, he explained.
“June 2025, his visa was revoked; it’s not an expiration of the Visa. The information we have is that his visa was revoked.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,” he revealed.
Information available indicate that a US visa can be revoked if the holder becomes ineligible for it. This can happen if they violate their status, commit fraud, or otherwise fall under a ground of inadmissibility.
The court hearing is therefore to determine whether Mr Ofori-Atta should be allowed to stay in the US or be deported.
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