The US court is expected to request for Mrs Coleman’s extradition to stand trial in an American court following the conviction of her daughter and her son-in-law for alleged forcing a relative to work as a domestic servant.
An Accra Daily newspaper ‘The Evening News’ however reports that an official extradition request has not been made to government yet. But even before the request comes, sources close to the AG’s office say there is no way the Ghanaian government would respond positively to that request.
Mrs. Coleman, a sitting member of Ghana’s legislature is accused of involvement in a criminal act of bringing a relative 44-year-old Margaret Owusuwaah to the US and forcing her to work as a domestic servant in the home of the Blackwell’s.
Mrs. Coleman is charged together with her now convicted daughter, Barbara who is serving a five-years, three months' jail term and her American husband Kenneth Blackwell.
‘The Evening News’ quotes official sources as indicating that as a sitting MP and former Minister of State, ''there is no way she can be extradited to the US to face trial by that government. Such a person, in the calibre of Mrs. Coleman is at par with a US congress woman or man indicted in Ghana."
The official also explained that the ‘Non Surrender Act’ passed by the Ghanaian parliament last year has nothing to do with the current case.
''The Act will apply only when a US or a Ghanaian citizen is to face trial at the International Court for crimes committed against humanity. In that circumstance, Ghana cannot hand over that US citizen to face trial at the International Court of crimes under the Non- Surrender Act or treaty. The same applies to the US.''
Barbara, a 33-year old Accountant who possesses a permanent US resident status would be deported to Ghana after serving her sentence.
