A Dutch court has rejected two attempts by the legal team of Asante Akyem North MP, Ohene Kwame Frimpong, to secure his release on bail, leaving the Ghanaian legislator in custody as he awaits an extradition hearing scheduled for November 18, 2026
It will be recalled that Ohene Kwame Frimpong has been detained in the Netherlands since May 10, 2026, when he was arrested at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport following an extradition request from the United States over alleged involvement in romance scams and money laundering.
Despite efforts by his lawyers to secure his temporary release, both an initial bail application and a subsequent appeal have failed.
Majority Chief Whip and South Dayi MP, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, disclosed the latest development, confirming that the two attempts to obtain bail had been unsuccessful.
Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor stated, “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”.
Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor further revealed that the substantive extradition hearing is expected to take place on November 18, 2026, provided there are no unforeseen developments.
He added, “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”.
The MP also dismissed reports suggesting that the Asante Akyem North MP had already been transferred to the United States, insisting that the extradition process was still ongoing in the Netherlands.
“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, following his arrest, Parliament confirmed his detention and engaged Ghana’s diplomatic mission in The Hague.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa also disclosed that consular support had been extended to the MP, including a visit while he remained in detention.
Ohene Kwame Frimpong’s lawyers have reportedly challenged aspects of the extradition request, arguing that the warrant issued by a US magistrate’s 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 conditions for his transfer to the United States have been satisfied.
However, for now, the MP remains in Dutch custody as the proceedings continue. He has not been convicted of the allegations against him.
In related news, Kwadwo Baah Agyemang, the former Member of Parliament for Asante Akyem North, has criticised the Mahama government over its silence on the current Asante Akyem North MP, Hon. Ohene Kwame Frimpong.
According to the former MP, the NDC government’s handling of the situation has been unfair to the detained MP.
He argued that the Mahama government is pretending it can’t do anything about his case, adding that he knows what the government can and cannot do.
Speaking in an interview on Salt FM on November 2, 2026, he stated, “There is something worrying. This NDC government has really been unfair to Hon. Ohene Kwame Frimpong for leaving him to rot in the custody of another country. Why is the government pretending they can’t do anything about his case?”
“The truth is, why is the government so silent about it, “he added.
Also, former Manhyia North Member of Parliament Collins Amankwah has accused the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) of pretending to be concerned about the embattled Ohene Kwame Frimpong.
According to Collins Amankwah, the NDC’s public show of concern for the independent MP is merely a strategy to deceive Ghanaians.
He claimed that intelligence gathered suggests the NDC is already searching for a candidate to contest the Asante Akyem North parliamentary seat as an independent candidate, with substantial financial backing.
Collins Amankwah alleged that the move is intended to position a replacement for Ohene Kwame Frimpong should the MP remain in custody.
@ghnow_ Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor says Asante Akim North MP, Kwame Ohene Frimpong, has been arrested. He disclosed that two bail applications were unsuccessful, with the extradition hearing scheduled for November 18, 2026. #GHNow #GhanaPolitics #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Thousands Gather at Tetteh Quarshie Roundabout for NPP’s ‘Yegye Yesika’ Demo #GHNow #fyp ♬ Da Elephant (Winning Symbol) – Berima Sidney
@ghnow_ NPP’s ‘Yegye Yesika’ Demonstration Underway #GHNow #NPP #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
