The bond hearing for former Finance Minister Ken Ofori‑Atta in the United States is set to take place today, February 19, 2026, as a federal judge tackles the question of whether Ghanaian authorities have filed proper proof of an extradition request.
Judge David A. Gardey told lawyers handling the former minister’s immigration case that the court “cannot act on assertions without proof”, demanding that documented evidence of an extradition request be submitted by today before he considers any decision on bond or release.
The hearing follows a closed-door court session on January 20, where the judge paused consideration of Ofori-Atta’s bail application after state attorneys opposed his release, citing the pending extradition effort by Ghana.
Mr Ofori-Atta, who served as Finance Minister in the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, has been detained by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) since early January while his immigration status is reviewed. Prosecutors say his visitor visa was revoked, leaving him without a lawful basis to remain in the country.
His lawyers argued in the January hearing that he has cooperated with authorities and is pursuing legal avenues, including an adjustment of status petition that would allow him to remain in the US under current immigration law.
Ghanaian authorities have separately moved to secure his extradition to face those charges, a process that hinges on formal documentation now due before the judge’s ruling.
In a related development, INTERPOL recently removed a Red Notice against Ofori-Atta, a move his lawyers say was based on the notice’s “predominantly political” character.
