Ken Ofori-Atta Pursues Permanent US Residency – Lawyer reveales

Ken Ofori-Atta Pursues Permanent US Residency – Lawyer reveales

Ken Ofori-Atta, Ghana’s former Finance Minister, has started the process of applying for permanent residency in the United States, according to his legal team. The confirmation came from a U.S.-based news outlet, following reports that Ofori-Atta is facing multiple charges, including corruption, money laundering, and abuse of public office. The charges stem from his involvement in a controversial contract with Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML), which allegedly caused the Ghanaian state a financial loss exceeding GH¢1.4 billion.

Despite these charges, Ofori-Atta is expected to return to Ghana to face trial. The Attorney-General of Ghana has already issued an extradition request to facilitate this process, paving the way for legal proceedings to begin.

Currently, Ofori-Atta is being held at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Virginia, after being arrested by U.S. immigration officials in January for overstaying his visa. His lead counsel, Enayat Qasimi, disclosed to Semafor that Ofori-Atta has a viable “pathway to residency” in the U.S., which he intends to pursue. Qasimi also raised concerns about the independence of Ghana’s judiciary, suggesting that Ofori-Atta’s prosecution is politically motivated and that he may not receive a fair trial in Ghana for the alleged financial misconduct during his tenure from 2017 to 2024.

Story: Efua Nessa

Source: Locotvgh.com