Ghanaian Man Arrested in Ohio for Allegedly Hiding Criminal Record During Immigration Process

U.S. immigration authorities have taken a Ghanaian national into custody after uncovering alleged fraud during an application for immigration benefits in the United States.

The man was arrested at a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office in Columbus, Ohio, after officials identified inconsistencies linked to his criminal history. Investigators later confirmed that he had a prior conviction for credit card fraud, which he reportedly failed to disclose while seeking immigration relief.

Once the discrepancies were detected, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers were notified and promptly took him into custody. Authorities said the case highlights ongoing efforts to identify and address immigration fraud, particularly cases involving the concealment of criminal records.

The arrest comes amid a broader wave of high-profile immigration-related detentions involving Ghanaian nationals in the United States. In recent weeks, U.S. law enforcement agencies have also detained former Ghana Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) Chief Executive Officer, Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, following an extradition request by the Ghanaian government.

Tamakloe-Attionu, who headed MASLOC between 2013 and 2016, was arrested in early January 2026 and is currently being held at a detention facility in Nevada. Ghanaian authorities are seeking her return to serve a 10-year prison sentence handed down in absentia over multiple corruption-related offences, including embezzlement and causing financial loss to the state.

In a related development, former Ghanaian Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta was also detained by U.S. authorities over immigration status issues. Officials said he overstayed his visitor visa, which expired in November 2025, while facing numerous corruption charges in Ghana. His legal team has stated that efforts are underway to resolve his immigration status, citing a pending application for adjustment of status.

Together, the cases underscore increased cooperation between U.S. and Ghanaian authorities on immigration enforcement and extradition matters, particularly where criminal allegations and legal irregularities are involved.