Government of Canada ‘Actively Engaged’ in Case of Cobourg Man Held in Dubai
Northumberland–Clarke MP Philip Lawrence says the federal government is continuing to monitor the case of a Cobourg man who remains imprisoned in Dubai while fighting extradition to South Sudan.
Ryan O’Grady, a 47-year-old native of Cobourg and former international banker, has been detained in the United Arab Emirates and is facing possible extradition to South Sudan. O’Grady has maintained that the allegations against him are politically motivated and stem from his efforts to expose alleged multimillion-dollar corruption schemes while serving as Chief Executive Officer of Kush Bank in South Sudan.
Concerned about O’Grady’s situation, Lawrence wrote to Anita Anand on May 25 seeking information about what actions the Canadian government was taking to protect the rights and safety of the Canadian citizen.
In his letter, Lawrence outlined concerns surrounding O’Grady’s detention and the possibility of extradition to South Sudan.
“Mr. O’Grady is currently detained in the United Arab Emirates and is reportedly at imminent risk of extradition to the Republic of South Sudan in connection with allegations of a breach of trust offence during his previous employment there,” Lawrence wrote.
The MP also relayed concerns expressed by O’Grady’s family regarding what could happen should he be returned to South Sudan.
According to Lawrence, the family fears O’Grady would not receive a fair trial and could face torture, mistreatment, or other serious consequences if extradited.
Lawrence requested details on what measures Global Affairs Canada could take to ensure O’Grady’s rights are protected and that he receives due process under international legal standards.
A response from Anand’s office was recently provided to the MP, indicating that the federal government remains actively engaged in the case.
“Please know that this case is important to the Government of Canada,” Anand’s office stated in its reply. “We have been actively engaged on Mr. O’Grady’s file since learning of his detention and are in regular contact with his family. Consular officials have engaged with the relevant foreign authorities regarding his case and continue to closely monitor all developments.”
The letter further stated that Canadian consular officials remain available to provide assistance to O’Grady within the scope of Canada’s consular mandate.
While the federal government did not provide specific details about ongoing diplomatic efforts, the response indicates that Canadian officials continue to maintain communication with authorities involved in the case and are monitoring the situation closely.
O’Grady’s detention has attracted growing attention both locally and internationally, with supporters arguing that the case raises significant concerns about political retaliation, judicial fairness, and human rights protections. His family continues to advocate for Canadian government intervention as legal proceedings surrounding the extradition request continue.
For residents of Cobourg and Northumberland County, the case remains a closely watched international legal matter involving a local man whose future may depend on decisions made by authorities in both the United Arab Emirates and South Sudan.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love