Audio By Carbonatix
Frank Davies, lawyer for former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, has clarified that his client is not in the United States unlawfully, following his detention by U.S. immigration authorities.
Speaking in an interview on JoyNews' The Pulse on Thursday, January 8, Mr Davies said Mr Ofori-Atta was detained under circumstances that are “separate and distinct” from those faced by illegal immigrants.
“Ken Ofori-Atta is not in detention because he overstayed or is an illegal immigrant. Individuals who are deported are those who have long overstayed their welcome in the U.S.—this is not the case here,” he explained.
He said the former minister entered the U.S. on a medical conference or medical procedure visa, which is valid until February 14. “He has applied for an extension of his stay, which is why this situation is different,” Davies added.
The lawyer emphasised that if Mr Ofori-Atta were truly an illegal immigrant, the deportation process would have been initiated immediately.
Read also: Ofori-Atta’s lawyers move to block deportation, seek US stay extension for medical treatment
Latest Stories
-
Israel pounds Beirut suburbs after Hezbollah launches rocket barrage
14 minutes -
Bank of Africa donates to National Chief Imam’s office to support Ramadan
20 minutes -
Communications Minister Launches iCOLMS-GH to streamline courier sector, gives operators 19-day compliance deadline
45 minutes -
Prudential Ghana agent earns multiple honours locally and Africa
48 minutes -
Vote for a competent, grassroots person as organiser to help NPP reclaim power – Ali Maiga Halidu
52 minutes -
25 MDAs sign data-sharing pact with Ghana Statistical Service
57 minutes -
Legacy Girls’ College celebrates national recognition of two students at 2025 WASSCE
1 hour -
Oil price jumps despite deal to release record amount of reserves
1 hour -
Sahara Group commissions 40,000cbm Asharami Ghana LPG vessel to advance clean energy access in Ghana
1 hour -
Ghana’s Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire marks 69th independence day with call to ‘build prosperity and restore hope’
1 hour -
COCOBOD to distribute 27,000 sprayers and 89,000 PPE sets to cocoa farmers
1 hour -
Ntim Fordjour accuses NDC of ‘double standards’ over presidential travel
2 hours -
Israel–Iran war shakes global insurance industry; Ghana may face heavy impact – Dr Kingsley Agyemang
2 hours -
DJ Mensah calls for national support for Rapperholic UK as Sarkodie eyes O2 Arena
2 hours -
COCOBOD disburses GH¢4.2bn to Licensed Buying Companies to settle cocoa farmers’ arrears
2 hours