Ohene Kwame Frimpong, the Member of Parliament for Asante Akyem North, will stay in Dutch custody after two attempts to win his freedom were
Ohene Kwame Frimpong, the Member of Parliament for Asante Akyem North, will stay in Dutch custody after two attempts to win his freedom were turned down.
The first was a substantive bail application, and the second was an appeal against that refusal.
Majority Chief Whip and South Dayi MP Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor disclosed this at a leaders’ media briefing in Accra on Tuesday, 3 November 2026.
He said the extradition hearing is set for 18 November, barring unforeseen developments, and rejected claims that the legislator had already been flown to the United States.
Mr Frimpong, popularly known as OK Frimpong, was held at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport on 10 May 2026 after travelling from Ghana.
Dutch immigration officers acted on a US extradition order. Parliament confirmed his detention on 12 May. Reports say he was on a private trip, travelling on a diplomatic passport, and was passing through the Netherlands when he was stopped.
The US request relates to alleged romance scams, fraud and money laundering. Early reports citing unnamed sources put the amount involved at about US$32 million, although neither Dutch nor US authorities have confirmed this.
Later reports on court documents allege that he opened a bank account at a Chicago credit union, tied to a family restaurant, which received proceeds of the scheme. Some media reports also mention an 18-count US indictment.
His lawyers dispute the basis of the case. They say a magistrate court in Illinois issued the warrant to have him extradited for interrogation, and that no formal charges have been brought. They have also argued that, as a sitting MP, he is entitled to certain diplomatic and procedural considerations.
Ghana’s government says it is giving him consular support, and Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa visited him during an official trip to the Netherlands.
Back home, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has argued that his seat should not be declared vacant over his absence from Parliament.
The allegations have not been tested in court. Mr Frimpong has not been convicted of any offence and remains presumed innocent.
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