US court greenlights Ofori-Atta permanent residency application in America - Lawyers

Lawyers for former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, have confirmed a US Court approval of his application for change of his immigration status, making it possible for him to apply for permanent residency in the US.

In a statement today , lawyer  for the former Minister , Justice Kusi -Minkah Premo, said the approval by the US Immigration Court followed a Green card 1- 485 petition by his client.

“The court heard evidence relating to actions taken by Ghana's Office of the Special Prosecutor, including the OSP's earlier decision to declare Mr Ofori-Atta a fugitive from justice at a time when he was reportedly undergoing medical treatment in the United States and while his lawyers remained in communication with investigators in Ghana,” the statement added.

Case in Ghana

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP)  has been probing allegations of corruption and abuse of office involving the former minister, particularly relating to the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme and other financial decisions during his tenure as Finance Minister under the previous administration.

As part of those investigations, the OSP reportedly issued directives restricting his ability to travel while the inquiry remained active. Although Mr Ofori-Atta later travelled to the United States legally, ICE officials flagged his documents after cross-checking with international compliance alerts linked to the OSP's processes, leading to a review of his immigration status and his subsequent placement in ICE detention pending a judicial determination.

He has since been released by ICE.