Rolf Olson and William B. Stevens
Nine Ghanaians implicated in cybercrime and related offences have been extradited from Ghana to the United States this year, the US Embassy in Accra has disclosed.
The disclosure was made at a roundtable discussion held at the embassy on Friday, December 12, 2025, where the US Chargé d’Affaires, Rolf Olson, said the individuals were accused of crimes including online impersonation and large-scale financial fraud involving millions of dollars.
The event was also attended by the Deputy Assistant Secretary for West Africa at the US Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs, William B. Stevens.
Mr. Olson explained that extradition does not amount to a conviction, stressing that the accused persons are entitled to full due process under US law and would only be punished if found guilty by a court.
“We go through a formal legal process to make a request. Often, someone is first arrested because they may not necessarily already be in prison, and then they are legally sent to the United States to stand trial. Everyone gets a fair trial. They are presumed innocent until proven guilty,” he further explained.
He noted that where guilt is established, the offenders could face custodial sentences depending on the nature and severity of the crimes proven in court.
“These are the kinds of people who, if proven guilty, should be in prison. They shouldn’t be out taking advantage of others, particularly older people, although any of us could fall victim to this kind of crime,” Mr. Olson added.
Strong cooperation
The US Chargé d’Affaires commended Ghana, particularly the administration of President John Dramani Mahama, for what he described as strong and effective cooperation in the fight against cybercrime.
He described the extradition of nine individuals within a single year as an “extraordinary achievement” and praised the government for their collaboration on law enforcement and adherence to the rule of law.
“Extraditing nine individuals from Ghana in one year is an extraordinary achievement. The cooperation with the government, including the President, the Attorney-General and the Interior Minister, has been exceptional. It has been a very strong collaboration,” he said.
Extradition requests
Mr. Olson said the United States remains committed to working closely with Ghana to combat cybercrime and protect citizens from financial fraud.
He also indicated that the US is open to receiving extradition requests from other countries, including Ghana.
“We are always open to receiving extradition requests. That is a firm part of any good bilateral relationship, and certainly ours,” he stated.
He explained that extradition processes are often lengthy and subject to judicial scrutiny, noting that final decisions rest with US judges, who may either approve or reject such requests.
“There is no individual case that can be prejudged because US judges make these decisions. They are a separate branch of government and have the authority to approve or disapprove a request. But we are always open to that kind of collaboration,” he added.
Deportation issues
Touching on deportation, Mr. Olson said the administration of President Donald Trump has prioritised addressing illegal immigration, resulting in the deportation of some foreign nationals who are unlawfully present in the United States.
He said the US remains determined to protect its borders and enforce immigration laws while respecting individual rights.
He also noted that the United States has agreements with several countries, including safe third-country arrangements, which allow individuals to seek refuge elsewhere if they cannot remain in the US.
Mr. Olson praised the Ghanaian government for its cooperation in facilitating the return of Ghanaian nationals and other West Africans who have exhausted their legal options in the United States.
A Daily Guide Report