Extradition of British fugitive McDermott on hold

The extradition of the British Fugitive David McDermott has been put on hold after the suspect challenged the decision of the district court that ordered his extradition to the United Kingdom.

The High Court presided over by Justice Dorgu has subsequently adjourned the case to allow lawyers of the suspect to complete all filing and serving process on the court and the Attorney General.

The Criminal Division of the Accra High Court in April gave the green light to the state to extradite McDermott, for allegedly smuggling 400 kilogrammes of cocaine to the United Kingdom (UK).

According to the court, presided over by Mrs. Justice Merley Afua Wood, the UK government’s request for McDermott’s extradition was in line with all the necessary legal requirements in the country.

In its ruling, the court stated that the offences with which the accused had been charged were not political in nature, adding that they were recognisable under the laws of both countries.

But lawyers for McDermot are challenging the decision by the High Court.

Background

McDermott had been hiding in Ghana from the British authorities under the name David Smith for the past three years but was picked up at his hideout in Accra on March 11, 2016.

He is wanted by the UK government to stand trial in the Liverpool and Knowsley Magistrate’s Court for narcotic offences in the UK.

The accused is facing three counts, namely, conspiracy to contravene Section 170 of the Customs and Excise Management Act, 1979, contrary to Section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977; conspiracy to supply a controlled drug of Class A, contrary to Section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977, and conspiracy to blackmail, contrary to Section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977 of the UK.

Defence

McDermott challenged his extradition and in his defence told the court that there was no legal basis for his extradition.

According to his counsel, Mr Victor K. Adawudu, the extradition treaty between Ghana and the UK had been repealed and narcotic offences were not part of crimes that warranted extradition.

He also told the court that there was no warrant from a magistrate for McDermott’s arrest.

Treaty

In its ruling, however, the court disagreed with counsel’s argument, stating that although the treaty had been repealed, some of its provisions were maintained and those provisions had kept the treaty in force.

With regard to counsel’s argument that narcotics were not extradition offences, the court, on the contrary, stated that such offences, indeed, warranted extradition because the country was a signatory to the United Nations Convention on Narcotics which enjoined it to cooperate with other countries in narcotic-related offences.

Warrant

The court, however, agreed with counsel’s argument that the state did not follow due process in arresting the British fugitive because the warrant for his arrest was not signed by a magistrate.

It, however, contended that the violation did not carry any substantial value for a miscarriage of justice.

“Even though due process was not followed, it did not lead to the miscarriage of justice,” it held.

Appeal

After the ruling, Mr Adawudu prayed the court to allow him to have access to the accused person while he was in custody.

The court granted his prayer and ordered the authorities to allow him to have access to his client.