A lawyer representing former Ghanaian Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta says his client is pursuing permanent residency in the United States rather than returning to Ghana, where he fears he may not receive a fair trial over corruption allegations.

Mr Ofori-Atta is currently being held in an immigration detention facility in Virginia after he was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in January for allegedly overstaying his visa.

Speaking to Semafor, his lawyer Enayat Qasimi said the former minister has “a pathway to residency” in the United States which he intends to pursue.

Qasimi also argued that there are “serious questions” about the independence of the Ghanaian judiciary, claiming that his client has been the target of what he described as a “political witch hunt.” According to him, this situation could make it difficult for Mr Ofori-Atta to receive a fair trial over alleged financial impropriety during his time in office from 2017 to 2024.

The office of the Attorney General's Department of Ghana declined to comment on the matter.

Meanwhile, Ghana has formally submitted an extradition request to the United States seeking Mr Ofori-Atta’s return, a request US officials confirmed has been received.

Mr Ofori-Atta is expected to reappear before the Annandale Immigration Court in Virginia on April 27, after proceedings relating to his immigration status were adjourned.

He first appeared before the court in January during a virtual hearing presided over by Judge David Gardey, which focused on a bond redetermination and an initial review of the case.

During that session, Mr Ofori-Atta joined the hearing from the Caroline Detention Centre, appearing in a black shirt, spectacles and a nose mask.

Court documents indicate that his visitor visa, which was due to expire in February, was later revoked by US authorities. Records also show he had been directed to leave the United States by November 29 last year, but allegedly failed to comply, leaving him without lawful immigration status.

His legal team also successfully requested that bond hearings and master calendar proceedings be conducted behind closed doors, arguing that the issues involved were sensitive. The presiding judge approved the request.

Back in Ghana, Mr Ofori-Atta and five other individuals are facing more than 70 criminal charges linked to several corruption investigations. One of the key cases involves allegations that a contract awarded to Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) caused financial losses exceeding GH¢1.4 billion to the state.