Embattled former Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, has reportedly been denied bail by a United States immigration court.
According to veteran journalist Alfred Ogbamey, sources indicate that the former minister’s bail application, which was heard on February 19, 2026, was unsuccessful.
He stated that lawyers for Ken Ofori-Atta had prayed the court to grant bail to allow him to seek medical attention. However, the presiding judge, David Gardey, denied the request.
Judge Gardey of the Annandale Court in Virginia reportedly ruled that bail was unnecessary, stating that Ofori-Atta has access to adequate medical care at the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility where he is being held, the Caroline Detention Facility.
“At his hearing last Thursday, lawyers for Ken Ofori-Atta argued that he should be granted bail to access proper medical care. Sources say the Judge refused the request, insisting that the former minister has access to adequate medical needs at the ICE facility,” parts of the post shared by the veteran journalist read.
Checks by GhanaWeb indicate that the former minister remains in ICE custody.
A search on the official website of the United States Department of Homeland Security showed that Ken Ofori-Atta was still being held at the Caroline Detention Facility as of 1:00 p.m. on February 23, 2026.
The development suggests that the former minister, who was detained by ICE on January 6, 2026, could remain in custody until April 27, 2026, when the court is expected to begin his deportation hearing.
