Ofori-Atta Arrest Was Targeted ICE Operation, Not Immigration Sweep – Manasseh Azure
Frank Ocansey
Editor, PulseView
Ofori-Atta Arrest: Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has revealed that the arrest of former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was a targeted enforcement action, and not part of any general immigration raid.
Speaking on KeyPointsin an exclusive interview with Alfred Ocansey on Friday, January 10, Manasseh disclosed that eyewitness accounts indicate ICE agents specifically moved in on Mr Ofori-Atta as he exited his residence in Washington DC.
“This wasn’t like those organised raids by ICE in specific places. They got in specifically for him,” Manasseh said.
According to him, the former finance minister was arrested shortly after stepping out of the Westlight Apartments, a luxury residential complex located at 1111 24th Street in Washington DC, on the morning of Tuesday, January 6.
“As soon as he emerged from the entrance of the building, they moved in, surrounded him, got him into a car and drove him away,” he recounted.
Manasseh noted that the location of the arrest underscores the precision of the operation, describing the West End neighbourhood as a high-security area close to major government institutions.
“This is a luxury apartment complex in the West End of Washington DC, about a 20-minute walk from the White House,” he said.
He further revealed that the apartment complex has previously housed prominent figures, including former United States Vice President Kamala Harris, who reportedly owned a two-bedroom condominium there.
Following his arrest, Mr. Ofori-Atta was transferred to a detention facility in Virginia, where he is currently being held.
Manasseh also disclosed fresh information from the Office of Ghana’s Deputy Attorney-General, indicating that Mr. Ofori-Atta’s US visa was revoked in June 2025, contrary to earlier claims that it had merely expired.
“The update we got exclusively this morning is that the US visa was revoked as far back as June 2025,” he said.
He explained that the revocation meant the former minister had been residing in the United States illegally for several months, a development that directly led to his detention by ICE.
“He’s been living in the US illegally for the past six months, and that is what landed him into trouble with ICE,” Manasseh stated.
Addressing confusion over reports that the visa was due to expire in February 2026, Manasseh clarified that visas can be revoked by authorities before their stated expiration dates.
“It is possible to have a visa with a future expiration date, but the state can still take it back,” he explained.
He added that Mr Ofori-Atta is believed to hold valid visas for the United Kingdom and Canada, set to expire in April and May respectively, unless those too have been revoked.
According to Manasseh, the immigration violation could significantly simplify any future extradition request by Ghanaian authorities.
“Extradition comes with a whole lot of legal issues, but if you overstay your visa, that changes everything,” he said.
He recalled that as far back as July 2025, he had publicly suggested that Mr Ofori-Atta had no intention of returning to Ghana to face accountability.
“Sources told me he had no intention of coming back home to face justice,” he stated.
Describing the arrest as a major development, Manasseh said it represents a crucial step toward accountability for public officials.
“If you use our money in a certain way, then it is only normal that we ask you to come down and account for your stewardship,” he said.
“For me, this is good news, and it makes it easier for them to bring him home to face justice like everyone else,” he concluded.
Ofori-Atta Arrest Was Targeted ICE Operation, Not Immigration Sweep – Manasseh Azure
Junior Kojo
