Kwame Adofo queries Ghana’s ability to secure Russian extradition

Constitutional lawyer Kwame Adofo has expressed reservations about Ghana’s capacity to successfully extradite a Russian national at the centre of an alleged sexual misconduct controversy.

Adding his voice to the ongoing public debate, the private legal practitioner argued that extradition is a highly technical legal process that cannot be driven by public pressure alone. According to him, the conversation must shift from emotion to law.

His primary concern revolves around the absence of a formal extradition arrangement between Ghana and Russia. Without such a framework, he suggested, any attempt to compel the suspect’s return could prove extremely complicated.

“We don’t have any extradition treaty with Russia,” he stated, questioning the legal route authorities intend to rely on. “How are you going to get the gentleman back to Ghana?”

Beyond the diplomatic dimension, Adofo also pointed to what he considers fundamental prosecutorial challenges. He noted that criminal proceedings require a clearly identifiable offence supported by evidence and anchored in statute.

“What is the crime that he is supposed to have committed?” he asked, stressing that allegations circulating online must be translated into specific charges under Ghanaian law before any extradition request can hold weight.

The controversy stems from accusations that the Russian national recorded and monetised intimate encounters with Ghanaian women without proper consent. The allegations have generated widespread reaction on social media and prompted calls for swift action.

However, Adofo indicated that another critical gap lies in the question of a complainant. In criminal litigation, especially in cases of this nature, the willingness of an affected party to formally lodge a complaint can significantly influence proceedings.

“I haven’t seen any complainant,” he noted, suggesting that the absence of a direct accuser could weaken the foundation of any prosecution.

He further explained that where adults are involved, the legal concept of consent becomes central. Without evidence of coercion, fraud, or involvement of minors, establishing criminal liability may be legally demanding.

Legal analysts say the matter presents a complex mix of criminal law, digital privacy concerns and international relations. Extradition requests typically require dual criminality — meaning the alleged conduct must constitute a crime in both jurisdictions — as well as diplomatic cooperation.

For now, Adofo maintains that until there is clarity on the specific offence, the evidence available, and the legal instruments Ghana can rely on internationally, expectations of securing the suspect’s extradition may be premature.

His remarks add a legal layer to a debate that has largely unfolded in the public arena, underscoring the distinction between moral outrage and the strict thresholds required in court.