Private legal practitioner and international lawyer Amanda Clinton has urged the government of Ghana to intensify investigations into the issue of the secret recording and circulation of sex videos by a suspected Russian national, warning that the case raises serious legal, public health and international security concerns.

Her comments follow reports that the Embassy of Russia in Ghana has informed Ghanaian authorities that it is unable to confirm whether the suspect is a Russian citizen.

Ms Clinton cautioned that the diplomatic position should not be treated as conclusive or bring the investigation to a halt.

“The Russian Ambassador has informed the Government that Russia is unable to confirm whether the suspect in question is a Russian national. That position should not be accepted at face value, nor should it mark the end of Ghana’s inquiry,” she said on Wednesday, February 18.

Immigration records must be reviewed

The international lawyer called for an urgent retrieval and review of all immigration records linked to the suspect, including his entry and exit data, work permit status, visa category and any period of departure from Ghana.

“The Government must urgently retrieve and review all immigration records relating to the suspect, including entries and exits—particularly the period during which he is believed to have left Ghana. These records should clarify where he resided, whether he was employed in Ghana, and under what legal authority. His work permit status must be examined, along with whether he entered the country on visa-on-arrival or under another immigration category,” she stated.

She further stressed the importance of utilising technology at Kotoka International Airport to verify the suspect’s identity and travel history.

“It is also necessary to establish whether Kotoka International Airport has biometric or facial recognition systems capable of confirming his identity and travel movements. In a matter of this seriousness, every available technological tool should be deployed,” she added.

Extradition concerns

Ms Clinton warned that the issue must not be allowed to fade from national attention, particularly given Russia’s long-standing policy of not extraditing its citizens.

“This issue must not be allowed to fade from public or governmental attention. Russia may, at a later stage, seek to rely on its well-known policy of not extraditing its citizens. That possibility makes it even more critical for Ghana to act decisively now, especially while the suspect’s nationality remains unverified,” she said.

Legal experts note that delays in establishing nationality could complicate extradition proceedings or future international cooperation.

Public health risk

The lawyer described the matter as extending beyond criminal law into public health, following disturbing reports that one of the suspect’s alleged victims in Kenya died by suicide after contracting HIV.

“Disturbingly, reports indicate that one of the suspect’s victims in Kenya died by suicide after contracting HIV. This transforms the case from a conventional criminal investigation into a matter of grave public health concern. If multiple victims were infected, there is a real risk of further transmission. Containment measures, contact tracing, and testing are therefore not optional—they are essential,” she emphasised.

Public health authorities may therefore be required to initiate contact tracing and voluntary testing efforts if credible evidence emerges of exposure to communicable diseases.

Interpol and prosecution options

From an international legal standpoint, Ms Clinton advised Ghana to consider prosecution even in the suspect’s absence, should cooperation from foreign authorities prove difficult.

“From an international law and security perspective, Ghana must also consider its next steps if cooperation is not forthcoming. Prosecution should proceed, and if necessary, a conviction in absentia should be pursued. Once the suspect’s nationality is conclusively established, Ghana may petition Interpol on the basis that he poses a serious, tangible, and ongoing threat to public safety,” she said.

She added that documented harm in both Ghana and Kenya, coupled with a conviction in Ghana, would strengthen the case for international law enforcement mechanisms.

“The documented harm in Kenya and Ghana, combined with a conviction in Ghana, would demonstrate that—wherever he has fled—the suspect remains a significant public health and security risk. International mechanisms exist for precisely such circumstances, and Ghana should not hesitate to invoke them.”

Authorities in Ghana have yet to publicly confirm the suspect’s nationality or current whereabouts, but investigations are understood to be ongoing.

The case has sparked widespread public debate about visa monitoring, immigration enforcement, and cross-border accountability in cases involving alleged sexual exploitation and public health risks.