A US Judge, David A Gardey, presiding over the case of Ghana’s Finance Minister, has requested proof of Ken Ofori-Atta’s extradition request from the US federal government following the closed-door immigration hearing on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
The state attorneys opposed a bond application, known as a bail application in Ghana, for Ofori-Atta, arguing that Ghana has submitted an extradition request for him.
The Judge, however, declined to make an immediate determinationadding that no documentary evidence had been presented to support the assertion.
Judge David A Gardey directed the federal government to file any evidence of an extradition request on or before February 19, 2026.
The immigration case involving Ken Ofori-Atta, who has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) since January 6, 2026, was later adjourned to April 27, 2026.
Ken Ofori-Atta appeared before a United States immigration court in Virginia on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. He was spotted wearing a dark shirt and a face mask during the hearing
His case was heard at the Annandale Immigration Court before Immigration Judge David Gardey.
The former finance minister was represented by his legal team, including Christopher Chaisson of Whiteford Taylor & Preston and Kwao Amagashi.
Ken Ofori-Atta is currently being held at the Caroline Detention Centre.
The hearing was a bond redetermination proceeding addressing his immigration status, following the revocation of his visa and related overstay/loss of lawful status issues.
It was initially set up as virtual (via Webex), attracting significant public interest with many attempting to join.
Due to the high public attention, Ofori-Atta’s legal team, led by U.S. counsel Christopher Chaisson, successfully requested that the proceedings be held in camera (private and closed to the public), and Immigration Judge David Gardey granted the request.
Ofori-Atta will remain in ICE detention at the Caroline Detention Facility in Bowling Green, Virginia, in the meantime.
Meanwhile, Arise Ghana protesters on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, when they stormed the United States Embassy in Accra, demanding the return of former Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta.
The Arise Ghana protesters gathered outside the embassy premises, clad in red and black attire, called on U.S. authorities to cooperate with Ghanaian institutions to ensure the return of embattled Ken Ofori-Atta.
The group were with placards bearing inscriptions such as “Let Ofori-Atta Face Justice,” “Ken’s Leadership Killed Ghanaians”, “Ken Is Needed in Ghana, ‘Bring Ken Home”, and “No Hiding Place for Corruption.”