Former Ghanaian Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta will remain in the custody of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after a US immigration court deferred a decision on his bond application.
The development follows court proceedings held on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, which ended without a final ruling on whether Ofori-Atta would be granted bail. As a result, he will continue to be held by ICE pending a fresh hearing scheduled for February 19, 2026.
The update was disclosed by UK-based Ghanaian broadcaster Austine Woode, who explained that the court chose to adjourn the bond application rather than determine it on the day. In a post shared on X on January 21, 2026, Woode stated that Ofori-Atta’s request for release was deferred and would be reconsidered next month.
“Yesterday, Ken Ofori-Atta’s bond application was refused and the matter will be heard again on 19th February,” Woode wrote, adding that the former finance minister will remain in ICE detention until then.
According to the broadcaster, while the bond hearing has been rescheduled for February, the substantive immigration case itself is not expected to be heard until April 27, 2026. This means Ofori-Atta could remain in detention for several more weeks unless the court grants his bond application at the next hearing.
Woode further noted that if the bond request is denied again in February, Ofori-Atta would continue to be held in ICE custody despite the main case being set for a later date.
The former finance minister appeared before the US immigration court wearing a black shirt, which later sparked public discussion. However, immigration lawyer Nelle Ocloo clarified that the clothing was standard attire issued to detainees and should not be interpreted as havi any legal significance.
