Ghana’s former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, is seeking permanent residency in the United States while contesting immigration proceedings, as authorities in Ghana pursue his extradition to face multiple corruption-related charges.

Mr Ofori-Atta is currently being held at a detention facility operated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Virginia, after he was arrested by immigration officials in January for allegedly overstaying his visa.

His lawyer, Enayat Qasimi, told the US-based news platform Semafor that the former minister is pursuing what he described as a “pathway to residency” in the United States instead of returning to Ghana, where he fears he may not receive a fair trial.

According to Mr Qasimi, there are “serious questions” about the independence of Ghana’s judiciary, claiming his client has been subjected to a “political witch hunt” over allegations of financial misconduct during his tenure as Finance Minister from 2017 to 2024.

Meanwhile, the government of Ghana has formally requested his extradition from the United States. American authorities have confirmed receipt of the request, although the Office of the Attorney General of Ghana has declined to comment on the matter.

Mr Ofori-Atta is expected to return to the Annandale Immigration Court on April 27 after proceedings concerning his immigration status were adjourned.

He first appeared before the court in January during a virtual hearing presided over by Judge David Gardey, which focused on a bond redetermination and an initial review of the case.

Mr Ofori-Atta joined the session from the Caroline Detention Centre, appearing in a black shirt, spectacles and a nose mask, and was seen removing his jacket shortly before the hearing began.

His visitor visa had been due to expire in February but was subsequently revoked by US authorities. Court documents show he had been given until November 29 last year to leave the United States but did not comply.

US immigration authorities maintain that following the revocation of his visa and his failure to depart by the deadline, he no longer had lawful status to remain in the country.

During the hearing, his legal team successfully requested that both the bond hearing and the related master calendar hearing be conducted behind closed doors, citing the sensitive nature of the matters expected to be discussed. Judge Gardey granted the request and ordered observers participating via Webex to exit before proceedings continued.

Back in Ghana, Mr Ofori-Atta and five others are facing more than 70 criminal charges stemming from several corruption investigations, including allegations that a contract awarded to Strategic Mobilisation Limited caused a financial loss of more than GH¢1.4 billion to the state.