Majority Leader, James Agalga, has ruled out declaring the Asante Akyem North parliamentary seat vacant over the detention of its lawmaker, Ohene Kwame Frimpong, in the Netherlands.
He says the legislator has not been convicted, and removing him from Parliament would violate his human rights.
Frimpong remains in Dutch custody as he faces extradition proceedings linked to allegations of romance scams and money laundering in the United States.
According to him, the allegations cannot override the MP’s presumption of innocence, a principle that is well enshrined in the 1992 Constitution.
Speaking on Joy News on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, Agalga questioned what would become of the situation if his seat is declared vacant and subsequently cleared after prosecution.
“No, we can’t do that. He’s not been convicted. If you declare the seat vacant and the courts clear him, what happens?” he asked.
“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,” he said.
Agalga noted that the MPs are united on the need to uphold the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
“We wish our colleague well. He’s innocent until proven guilty. Then there’s unanimity in Parliament that we must respect that principle,” he added.
Mr Frimpong was arrested at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport on May 10, 2026, after arriving from Ghana, following a US extradition request. Parliament confirmed his detention and contacted Ghana’s diplomatic mission in The Hague.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa subsequently confirmed consular assistance, including a visit to the MP.
Two attempts to secure bail have failed. Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor has said the extradition hearing is scheduled for November 18, 2026.
Agalga says even though he has been formally briefed, he does not know the precise details of the alleged scam.
“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 said.
He said the planned visit would help him obtain firsthand information about the case, adding that Ghana’s mission in Brussels is assisting the detained legislator.
“He’s a Member of Parliament, so our mission in Brussels is assisting,” he said, expressing optimism about the outcome of the case.
“We pray for our colleague that the applications that are currently before the court would come out favourably for him,” he said.
