Deputy Attorney-General: Ofori-Atta’s US Visa Was Revoked in June 2025, Not Expired

Deputy Attorney-General, Justice Srem-Sai, has clarified that the United States visa of former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, was revoked in June 2025, contrary to earlier reports suggesting that the visa had merely expired.

According to him, this information represents the official position received by the Attorney-General’s Office from relevant authorities.

Speaking on KeyPoints on TV3 on Saturday, January 10, Justice Srem-Sai said the action taken by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was directly linked to the former minister’s immigration status.

“ICE will not come for you unless you have visa issues. That is what has happened,” he stated.

“June 2025, his visa was revoked; it’s not an expiration of the visa. The information we have is that his visa was revoked.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,” Deputy Attorney-General revealed.

Deputy Attorney-General, Justice Srem-Sai explained that under US immigration law, a visa may be revoked if the holder becomes ineligible, including instances of status violations, fraud, or falling under grounds of inadmissibility.

Meanwhile, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement has officially confirmed the detention of Mr. Ofori-Atta over concerns relating to the legality of his stay in the country.

This was disclosed in a public notice issued on January 7 by his legal representatives, Minka-Premo, Osei-Bonsu, Bruce-Cathline and Partners.

According to the notice, Mr Ofori-Atta’s US-based legal team is in active communication with ICE and expects the matter to be resolved promptly.

The lawyers explained that the former finance minister has a pending petition for adjustment of status, which under US law allows an individual to remain in the country legally beyond the original validity period of their visa.

“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 statement said.

They further assured the public that Mr. Ofori-Atta is cooperating fully with US immigration authorities.

“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,” the lawyers stated.

Mr. Ofori-Atta is currently wanted by Ghana’s Attorney-General and the Office of the Special Prosecutor in relation to investigations involving the Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) deal, the National Cathedral project, and other matters.

He is presently in the United States seeking medical treatment for a long-standing illness.

Although his legal team has previously assured authorities of his intention to return to Ghana, recent developments surrounding his detention have raised fresh concerns about whether the former finance minister will return to the jurisdiction in the near future.

Ofori-Atta’s US Visa Was Revoked in June 2025, Not Expired – Deputy Attorney-General

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