US law enforcement agencies tight-lipped on offences behind Asante Akim North MP’s detention

The United States Department of Justice has formally declined to comment on the detention of Kwame Ohene Frimpong, the Member of Parliament for Asante Akim North, at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, as Ghana’s Majority Caucus intensifies legal and diplomatic efforts to prevent his possible extradition to the United States.

In an email response received by JoyNews Research in the early hours of Friday, May 15, 2026, Senior Communications Advisor for International Law Enforcement and spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Justice, Nicole Navas Oxman, gave a brief response stating, “The U.S. Department of Justice declines to comment.”

The statement followed a detailed inquiry submitted by JoyNews Research to the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Press Office on Wednesday. The request reportedly sought clarification on whether there was an unsealed indictment, criminal complaint, or arrest warrant against Mr. Frimpong in the United States, as well as which U.S. Attorney’s Office or judicial district was handling the matter.

Journalists also requested confirmation on whether the arrest at Schiphol Airport was carried out based on a U.S. provisional arrest request or an Interpol Red Notice originating from the United States. Additional questions focused on whether U.S. authorities intended to pursue extradition proceedings and whether the investigation was connected to a business reportedly operated by the MP in Chicago.

However, the FBI did not directly address any of the questions. In a response sent on Thursday evening, the FBI National Press Office referred journalists to the DOJ’s Office of International Affairs.

“Thank you for reaching out. We refer you to the Department of Justice's Office of International Affairs. I have CC’ed their spokesperson,” the FBI stated. Hours later, the DOJ issued its “no comment” response, leaving major questions surrounding the case unanswered.

As uncertainty grows over the exact legal basis for the arrest, Ghana’s Majority Caucus has launched an aggressive legal and diplomatic strategy aimed at defending the embattled legislator and challenging any potential extradition request.

The Majority Chief Whip and MP for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has become the leading public voice on the matter. Speaking on Joy FM’s Midday News, he revealed that Mr. Frimpong contacted him around 5:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 10, shortly after being detained at Schiphol Airport while transiting on a KLM flight from Accra to the United Kingdom.

According to Mr. Dafeamekpor, he immediately informed the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, who was at the time passing through Heathrow Airport in London. Mr. Ayariga reportedly altered his travel plans and travelled to Amsterdam, where he spent several hours engaging Dutch authorities and meeting with the detained MP.

“We have committed to this matter very well. We have a lawyer for him now, and he’s dealing with the issues,” Mr. Dafeamekpor said.

The Majority Caucus has reportedly hired a Ghanaian lawyer qualified to practise in The Hague to represent Mr. Frimpong before Dutch prosecutors and courts.

Another significant aspect of the case is the revelation that the MP was travelling on a diplomatic passport at the time of his arrest. Parliamentary leaders believe this could play an important role in efforts to challenge the legality of his detention and any future extradition proceedings.

Mr. Dafeamekpor confirmed that Ghana’s Attorney-General is reviewing the legal implications of the arrest, particularly in relation to the constitutional protections available to sitting Members of Parliament.

Attention has now turned to Article 117 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, which provides immunity for Members of Parliament from civil or criminal process while travelling to, attending, or returning from parliamentary proceedings. Although legal experts note that the immunity is not absolute and may not automatically override international extradition obligations, the provision is expected to form a major part of the defence strategy.

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, together with the Majority Caucus, is also reportedly engaging international partners and diplomatic channels to obtain details of the warrant and ensure legal and consular access for the MP.

Ghana’s diplomatic mission in The Hague, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, is currently coordinating with Dutch prosecutors and the Netherlands Public Prosecution Service regarding the case.

Parliamentary leaders insist they have not yet received an authenticated copy of the arrest warrant and have urged the media to avoid speculation until official details emerge.

The Majority Chief Whip further suggested that any extradition attempt by the United States would face prolonged legal battles in both Dutch and Ghanaian courts. He referenced high-profile international extradition disputes involving former Chilean leader Augusto Pinochet and Julian Assange as examples of cases where extradition proceedings became lengthy and heavily contested.

Mr. Frimpong, popularly known as “OK Frimpong,” won the Asante Akyem North parliamentary seat in the 2024 general election as an independent candidate after defeating the incumbent NPP MP, Andy Appiah-Kubi, in one of the biggest political upsets in the Ashanti Region. Although elected independently, he currently aligns with the NDC Majority Caucus in Parliament.

The MP, who is also the proprietor of Salt Media GH, has consistently denied allegations linked to him. In a statement issued in September 2025, his lawyer, Elvis Adu-Ameyaw, maintained that there were no pending criminal or civil cases against his client either in Ghana or abroad.

His aide, Kelly Mensah, also dismissed reports linking the MP to alleged travel or visa-related schemes, insisting that Mr. Frimpong had not authorised anyone to engage in such activities on his behalf.