Ken Ofori-Atta’s case in the US adjourned to April 27
Former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, is to reappear before the United States (US) immigration court on April 27 this year, following the adjournment of the case involving his immigration status.
Mr Ofori-Atta made his first appearance at the Annandale Immigration Court in Virginia, presided over by Judge David Gardey, last Tuesday. The hearing focused on a bond redetermination and a preliminary review of the case.
The former Finance Minister, who appeared before the court virtually from the Caroline Detention Centre, was seen wearing a black shirt, spectacles, a nose mask, and a jacket which he removed before sitting for the hearing.
Mr Ofori-Atta is expected to remain at the detention centre until his next appearance before the court in April.
Issue, Argument
The former minister’s visa was set to expire next month, but was subsequently revoked by US authorities.
Mr Ofori-Atta, who was given until November 29 last year to leave the US, failed to comply; hence, his arrest and commencement of his trial.
The US authorities have argued that Mr Ofori-Atta, after failing to leave the country on the said date, no longer had lawful status to remain in the country after the revocation of his visitor visa.
Mr Ofori-Atta was represented by his legal team that included Christopher Chaisson of Whiteford Taylor & Preston and Kwao Amagashi, described in court as his long-time immigration lawyer.
Christopher Chaisson of Whiteford Taylor & Preston and Kwao Amagashi, who constituted the legal team of the former Finance Minister, pleaded that both the bond hearing and the related master calendar hearing be closed to the public, citing the sensitive nature of issues expected to be discussed.
This plea was granted by the presiding judge, Judge Gardey, and he ordered that the hearings be conducted privately. He also directed that non-parties observing via Webex exit the session before proceedings continued.
Corruption cases
Mr Ofori-Atta, along with five others, is currently facing more than 70 charges in the country over a number of cases, chief among them being the financial loss of more than GH¢1.4 billion to the state in the Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) contract saga.
He was previously declared a fugitive by the Office of the Special Prosecutor, which accused him of fleeing from justice over the corruption allegations.
Mr Ofori-Atta, who went to the US under the excuse of seeking medical attention at the beginning of last year, has since not returned to the country, despite a commitment to return in the course of last year.
There is also an arrest warrant seeking to bring him back to Ghana to stand trial for allegedly engaging in corruption with five others.
