Frank Davies, a member of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta’s legal team, has revealed that proceedings for his client’s release on bail were halted after Ghanaian authorities.
The US Judge, David A Gardey, presiding over the case of Ghana’s Finance Minister, 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.
According to Frank Davies, Ken Ofori-Atta had already gone through a bond application ( bail application), but when the presiding judge was about to determine the bond request, government representatives informed the court that an extradition proceedings were underway against his client.
Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show, Mr Davies explained, “There was a bond posting, a bond application hearing. A bond posting or bond application hearing is a legal proceeding in the United States. In our jurisdiction, we say bail”.
“Now, we posted the bond, and just as the court was about to decide, our government authorities objected that there was an extradition proceeding pending. Now, proof immediately could not be provided to the presiding judge,” he stated.
“Our authorities have 30 working days to provide ample proof of extradition proceedings to the judge, after which the judge will decide one way or the other to release Ken from detention custody and admit him to his freedom temporarily,” he added.
Meanwhile, 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 close 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.
Mr Ofori-Atta will remain in ICE detention at the Caroline Detention Facility in Bowling Green, Virginia, in the meantime.