Ohene Kwame Frimpong
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Asante Akyem North, Ohene Kwame Frimpong, is still in custody in the Netherlands where he is being held over romance scam allegations.
Two separate attempts by the legal team to secure bail for the legislator have failed, leaving him in lawful custody since his arrest at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport on May 10, 2026.
His arrest was initiated following an extradition request by the United States over allegations of his involvement in romance scams and money laundering.
The development prompted Parliament to engage Ghana’s diplomatic mission in The Hague to ensure that the detained legislator receives the necessary consular assistance.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has also confirmed that the government was providing consular support, including a visit to Mr. Frimpong while he remained in detention.
Providing an update on the case, Majority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, disclosed that efforts by the MP’s lawyers to secure bail had been unsuccessful.
He said both the initial bail application and a subsequent appeal had failed, leaving Mr. Frimpong in custody pending further proceedings.
“The update is that we have failed to secure bail for him in respect of the two applications that were brought before the court for the tribunal to sit. And so he’s still in custody,” Mr. Dafeamekpor said.
According to him, the substantive extradition hearing is expected to take place on November 18, 2026, unless unforeseen circumstances cause a change in the schedule.
“Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the extradition hearing, properly so-called, will take place on the 18th of this month, 18th November. And so we are still before the court,” he stated.
Mr. Dafeamekpor also dismissed reports suggesting that the Asante Akyem North MP had already been transferred to the United States.
He insisted that the extradition process was still ongoing in the Netherlands and that no transfer had taken place.
“So, he’s not been taken to the US as has been alleged. No, we’re still going through the records of the extradition process,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mr. Frimpong’s legal team has questioned the basis of the extradition request, arguing that the warrant issued by a US magistrate court was intended to facilitate questioning and did not contain formal criminal charges.
The November 18 hearing is expected to examine the extradition request and determine whether the legal requirements for his transfer to the United States have been satisfied.
BY Gibril Abdul Razak