Why Ken Ken Ofori-Atta’s US Immigration court hearing cannot be witnessed by the public
The restriction was imposed shortly after the case was called on Tuesday, 20 January 2026, at the Annandale Immigration Court, according to a transcript published by MyJoyOnline, which stressed its text is not an official court record.
A US immigration court hearing into former Ghana finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta’s status has been closed to the public after his legal team said the proceedings involve sensitive issues.
The restriction was imposed shortly after the case was called on Tuesday, 20 January 2026, at the Annandale Immigration Court, according to a transcript published by MyJoyOnline, which stressed its text is not an official court record.
In the exchange, Immigration Judge David Gardey asked one of Mr Ofori-Atta’s lawyers, Christopher Chaisson, to confirm whether he wanted the bond hearing barred from public access. Mr Chaisson replied that he did, and thanked the judge for raising the matter.
The judge then asked whether the same request applied to a separate “master calendar” hearing. Mr Chaisson said he wanted both sessions closed, arguing that sensitive subjects were likely to be raised.
Judge Gardey told those watching via Webex to leave the virtual courtroom, saying that under US immigration law the court would close the proceedings if either party requested it, and that the hearing could not continue until only authorised participants remained.
Mr Ofori-Atta was not visible on the Webex link at the time, the transcript said. His lawyers told the court he was being held at the Caroline Detention Facility.
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Mr Ofori-Atta about two weeks earlier, alleging he was in the country unlawfully. The outlet also reports that officials want him returned to Ghana, where the Office of the Special Prosecutor and the Attorney-General’s office are seeking to prosecute him over alleged wrongdoing.
