The Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, has disclosed that the United States visa of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta was revoked as far back as July 2025, a development he said fundamentally alters public understanding of the former official’s current legal and immigration difficulties in the United States.
The revelation, described by many observers as a bombshell, comes amid growing public scrutiny over reports that Mr Ofori Atta is in detention by US immigration authorities.
Speaking in response to questions about whether his office bears responsibility for Mr Ofori Atta’s predicament, Dr Ayine explained that investigations into the former minister predate the work of Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor and go beyond the much discussed Strategic Mobilisation Limited case.
According to him, his office has been conducting parallel investigations in collaboration with foreign partners, including investigators tracking offshore financial dealings linked to Mr Ofori Atta.
He stressed that these investigations remain ongoing and inconclusive, cautioning against speculation while hinting that the findings could be significant once completed.
“I want Ghanaians to know that he just didn’t overstay his visa. The visa was actually revoked, so it’s not that surprising that Mr Ofori-Atta overstayed. So, in July, the US State Department revoked his visa, and they gave him up to November 29th of 2025 to leave the United States; he did not.”
Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine
He revealed that although an arrest had initially been scheduled for January 4, Mr Ofori Atta was eventually apprehended on January 6 in the Virginia area. Dr Ayine emphasised that the circumstances surrounding the arrest were not routine immigration matters, reiterating that the visa revocation was central to the case.
Dismissal Ofori-Atta’s Legal Team Claim
He dismissed suggestions by Mr Ofori Atta’s legal team that the detention was a standard administrative process, describing such claims as attempts to downplay the seriousness of the situation.
The Attorney General further disclosed that his engagement with American authorities regarding Mr Ofori Atta began long before the Office of the Special Prosecutor initiated its own cooperation with US counterparts.
He confirmed that an extradition request has been submitted in connection with matters being pursued by the Special Prosecutor, while separate investigations coordinated by his office continue under strict confidentiality arrangements with US officials.
Addressing questions about legal representation in the extradition process, Dr Ayine clarified that Ghana does not typically dispatch its own lawyers to prosecute cases in the United States. Instead, he explained, Ghanaian lawyers act through formal requests, while American authorities handle proceedings within their jurisdiction.
He drew parallels with how Ghana responds when the United States seeks extradition locally, noting that his office, led by his deputy Justice Srem Sai and other state attorneys, represents US interests in Ghanaian courts during such proceedings.
Dr Ayine acknowledged that the extradition process involving Mr Ofori Atta is expected to be complex and lengthy, largely due to the calibre of legal representation assembled by the former minister.
He disclosed that Mr Ofori Atta has retained top legal minds in the United States, including former US Attorney General John Ashcroft. According to Dr Ayine, Mr Ashcroft personally contacted him to seek assurances that Mr Ofori Atta would receive a fair trial if returned to Ghana.
He said he assured Mr Ashcroft that under Ghana’s Constitution and the current administration, the former finance minister’s right to due process would be fully protected.
Dr Ayine emphasised that no individual would be subjected to unfair treatment and that the principles of justice, fairness, and the rule of law would be upheld throughout the proceedings.
Legal Pathway Ahead
The Attorney General also outlined the legal pathway ahead, explaining that Mr Ofori Atta is expected to appear before an immigration judge on January 20. Should the ruling go against him, he has the right to appeal to a district court, followed by further appeals that could reach the US Supreme Court.
Dr Ayine noted that similar layers of appeal exist within the extradition process, underscoring that accountability procedures are often lengthy by design to safeguard individual rights.
He said his comments were intended to clarify the process rather than personalise the matter, stressing that the state remains committed to probity and accountability.
According to him, the unfolding case demonstrates the seriousness with which the government is pursuing allegations of wrongdoing, while respecting international legal norms and the sovereignty of partner jurisdictions.
As the legal processes continue in the United States, the Attorney General’s disclosures have shifted the public narrative from one of simple immigration violations to a broader discussion about international cooperation, financial accountability and the rule of law.
For many Ghanaians, the case represents a critical test of the government’s resolve to pursue justice while ensuring that even high-profile figures are afforded their constitutional rights.
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