James Agalga, the Majority Leader, has said the Asante Akyem North parliamentary seat will not be declared vacant over the detention of its MP, Ohene Kwame Frimpong, in the Netherlands.
The Majority Leader ruled out declaring the Asante Akyem North parliamentary seat vacant, arguing that removing Ohene Kwame Frimpong from Parliament would violate his rights.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Wednesday, James Agalga stated, “No, we can’t do that. He’s not been convicted. If you declare the seat vacant and the courts clear him, what happens?”
“Yes, we have to respect his rights. Doing otherwise would violate his rights. His right to innocence, the presumption of innocence, is well enshrined in our constitution.”
“So we wish our colleague well. He’s innocent until proven guilty. Then there’s unanimity in Parliament that we must respect that principle.”
He further disclosed he had been formally briefed on attempts to secure bail that have failed.
“I do not know the actual details. In fact, when the pressures of work ease a bit, I intend to pay him a visit.”
“He’s a Member of Parliament, so our mission in Brussels is assisting.”
“We pray for our colleague that the applications that are currently before the court would come out favourably for him”.
Meanwhile, 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.
Also, 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.
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