A University of Ghana Professor of International Law, Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua, has indicated that the reported arrest of Asante Akyem North MP, Kwame Ohene Frimpong, in the Netherlands likely means there are existing legal charges behind the detention.
The MP was stopped while transiting through Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, reportedly due to an arrest warrant issued by U.S. authorities.
Prof. Appiagyei-Atua notes that international arrests and extradition procedures rarely happen without legal grounds, emphasizing that detention usually implies prior charges or an active judicial process in the requesting country.
“There will certainly be some charges filed against him, though authorities may not be ready to disclose them yet. There must be a basis for the arrest; otherwise, Dutch security officials would not have detained him.”
He argues that even if full case details are not yet public, the use of international cooperation mechanisms suggests that some legal process is already underway.
He was responding to a query about the lawfulness of detaining the Asante Akyem North MP in the Netherlands without informing him of any charges. This followed claims by Majority Chief Whip Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor that the embattled MP contacted him after the arrest but had not been formally notified of any charges.
Meanwhile, the Majority Chief Whip has confirmed that legal representation has been arranged in The Hague to assist with the case.
Speaking on possible diplomatic and legal options for Ghana, the international law expert explained that under consular relations principles, Ghanaian authorities have the right to ensure any citizen detained abroad receives legal representation and due process.
He added that Ghana’s diplomatic missions should work to obtain full legal transparency, including access to a lawyer who can establish the facts and determine whether the detention is justified.
If no justification is found, he said, appropriate legal and diplomatic measures could be taken to secure the individual’s release or ensure proper judicial handling of the matter.
