Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori‑Atta is no longer listed in the custody of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to the agency’s detainee locator system.
The development was also confirmed by activist Oliver Barker‑Vormawor, who said his sources indicate that Mr. Ofori‑Atta was released on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
Mr. Ofori‑Atta had been held by ICE since early January, after he was detained in the United States over questions surrounding his immigration status. He was reportedly taken into custody on January 6, 2026, in the Virginia area. His lawyers later confirmed the detention was connected to issues with the legality of his stay in the country.
He was held at an ICE detention facility in Virginia for several weeks as his case progressed through immigration procedures, which also included an extradition request from the Government of Ghana.
During his time in detention, court records and reports indicated that a U.S. judge had denied him bail while he fought the immigration matter and sought to regularize his status.
Because of his former position as Ghana’s finance minister, Mr. Ofori‑Atta’s detention became a matter of significant public and political interest.
His recent release now prompts new questions about what comes next in his legal and immigration matters including whether he will remain in the United States or be subject to extradition.
At this time, neither U.S. authorities nor Mr. Ofori‑Atta’s legal representatives have issued an official statement outlining the terms or conditions of his release.
