Private legal practitioner Richard Nii Armah has expressed concern over what he describes as “flip-flopping” by former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta regarding his refusal to return to Ghana.
The former minister appeared before the Annandale Immigration Court in Virginia on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, as legal proceedings continue regarding his immigration status.
This hearing follows his detention earlier this month by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
U.S. authorities contend that Mr. Ofori-Atta no longer possesses lawful status to remain in the country following the revocation of his visitor visa.
Presiding over the bond redetermination and preliminary review, Immigration Judge David Gardey requested documentary evidence of an extradition application filed by Ghanaian authorities on February 19.
The case has since been adjourned to April 27.
The Rule of Law in Ghana
Commenting on the defense mounted by Mr. Ofori-Atta, Richard Nii Armah predicted that the U.S. court may find it difficult to accept claims that the former minister would be denied a fair trial in Ghana.
He explained that Ghana maintains a strong international reputation for the rule of law, the administration of justice, and respect for fundamental human rights.
Speaking in an interview on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Mr. Armah noted that there was no objective basis for Ofori-Atta’s expressed fears. He suggested that the former minister’s lack of trust in the legal process was “needless” given the strength of the Ghanaian judicial system.
Mr. Armah further argued that the former minister’s apprehension may actually stem from the state of Ghana’s penal system—an issue Ofori-Atta could have addressed during his tenure.
“I have heard the former minister express concerns about being abused, but I don’t think the United States Court will take these concerns seriously,” Armah stated. “I say this because Ghana is regarded as one of the countries that respects the rule of law and practices a fair justice system. Even when suspected armed robbers are arrested, they are presumed innocent until proven guilty.”
He concluded by noting that while the U.S. likely believes Ofori-Atta would receive a fair trial, the former minister is primarily afraid of the harsh realities of incarceration.
“The United States believes that if he is returned, he will certainly have a fair trial. What he is afraid of is the poor conditions in our prisons. He knows that if he were to be incarcerated, he would be sent to those facilities, and he is not prepared for that. Ofori-Atta will have his day in court; he should have no reason to be afraid.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
