A Red Notice is usually issued against a criminal fugitive on the run who seeks actively to evade justice. It is a notice published by Interpol to law enforcement agents across the world requesting them to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending his extradition.
When it is published, it is not Interpol seeking the location and arrest of the person, but rather the country that requests the publication. Procedurally, Interpol would publish a Red Notice at the request of a member country provided the request meets the constitutional requirements of Interpol.
A Red Notice is however, a voluntary system. A state is therefore not obliged to make an arrest based on its publication, and can decide to ignore it. This is because it is not an arrest warrant, and countries can themselves determine what weight to give such notice.
What is unusual about this particular Red Notice is that Ghana Government knows where Samuel Mahama lives in the UK up to his exact residential address. One needs to bear in mind that all the hula-baloo about Airbus emanated from the UK courts, who have dealt with it and settled it. And yet even though he and the other persons named in the Red Notice are British Nationals, the UK government has not thought it fit to proffer any charges against them.
He is not considered a flight risk so no restrictions have been imposed on him and he has not been asked to hand over his passport. Why would the UK Government, based on the same facts as are narrated in the Red Notice, arrest him for Ghana government? Besides, Ghana has an extradition treaty with the UK. It also has a Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement with the UK.
Why publish Red Notice when the Ghana Government can formally ask for his extradition through regular channels?
The Special Prosecutor must be aware that it is forlorn hope that the UK government would extradite the three named persons.
It is interesting how recently the scurrilous story found its way unto the front pages of the controversial Sun newspaper in the UK. Individuals behind that publication are suspected to be closely tied to the family of Akufo-Addo.
This so-called arrest warrant is a red herring. It is an extension of their game plan to embarrass President John Mahama because of the impending elections.
****
Alex Segbefia is a former Crown Prosecutor in the United Kingdom
Latest Stories
-
Government suspends implementation of price Stabilisation and Recovery levy on petroleum products
37 mins -
Takoradi traders lament over low sales ahead of Easter
2 hours -
Michael Ampadu: One Student, One Tablet initiative will shape the future of education and innovation
2 hours -
I will partner you for development – Alan tells TUC
3 hours -
Malnutrition, anemia remain concern to UNICEF
3 hours -
Kasoa shrinking penis: Court remands Electrician over false alarm
3 hours -
Chief of Mampong Hemang donates land for mental health facility construction
4 hours -
‘I look forward to working closely with President-elect Faye to enhance Ghanaian-Senegalese relations’ – Akufo-Addo
4 hours -
Girl, 8, only survivor as 45 killed in bus crash in South Africa
5 hours -
Biden to host star-studded NYC fundraiser with Obama and Clinton
5 hours -
GDNR, AAU and others launch Universal Acceptance for local languages in internet domain names
5 hours -
Ogum and Kotoko’s March malaise
7 hours -
BushGang Zee releases new afro dancehall anthem “Accra Stay By Plan”
7 hours -
2 repair vessels dispatched for undersea cable repairs – says NCA’s latest update
7 hours -
Multimedia Group Limited’s Clinton Yeboah shortlisted for 2 International Sports Press Association Awards
7 hours