Majority Leader James Agalga has dismissed calls for Parliament to declare the Asante Akyem North parliamentary seat vacant following the continued absence of MP Ohene Kwame Frimpong, who has been in detention in the Netherlands since May 2026.
Agalga maintained that the legislator cannot be stripped of his seat while he remains legally presumed innocent and has not been convicted of any offence.
Speaking in an interview with Joy News on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, the Majority Leader argued that declaring the seat vacant while Frimpong’s extradition proceedings were ongoing could violate his constitutional rights.
“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 questioned.
He stressed that the presumption of innocence was a fundamental constitutional principle that Parliament must respect, regardless of the allegations against the detained MP.
“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,” Agalga said.
The Majority Leader further indicated that there was agreement among members of Parliament on the need to protect Frimpong’s rights while his legal case remained unresolved.
Frimpong has been in Dutch custody since May 10, 2026, when he was arrested at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport after arriving from Ghana.
His arrest followed an extradition request by the United States over allegations involving romance scams and money laundering.
The Asante Akyem North MP has reportedly made two unsuccessful attempts to secure bail and remains in custody as proceedings to determine his extradition continue.
According to Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, the next extradition hearing is scheduled for November 18, 2026.
Meanwhile, Parliament has been monitoring developments surrounding the legislator’s detention and has engaged Ghana’s diplomatic mission in The Hague to ensure that he receives the necessary consular assistance.
Agalga’s position suggests that Parliament will not take steps to remove Frimpong from office solely because of his absence while the legal proceedings against him remain pending.
