The Gbese District Court has granted a request to surrender Frederick Kumi, also known as Abu Trica, to US authorities after he was indicted for his alleged role in a large-scale online romance scam estimated at over $8 million.
He and his legal team have, however, been granted 15 days to challenge the decision.
This means that the extradition process will not take place until the expiration of the 15-day period allowed for a habeas corpus application.
Additionally, the district court dismissed claims of political motive and entrapment.
Speaking after the court’s ruling on Friday, March 27, 2026, a legal team member representing Abu Trica, who gave her name as Rosemary, stated that the court dismissed several preliminary objections filed in the ongoing extradition case.
“I’m a lawyer in the case of the Republic v. Frederick Kumi. We filed various preliminary legal objections regarding his extradition, but the court has dismissed them. It’s actually part of the process,” she said.
She further explained the nature of extradition proceedings and how the legal team has attempted to slow down the process in their client’s interest.
“Extradition processes are usually very fast, but we’ve managed to delay it slightly to protect his interests. Still, the court continues to dismiss our applications,” she said.
Touching on the latest court sitting, she detailed a specific application filed by the defence and the outcome of that request.
“We filed a preliminary objection requesting disclosure of the items seized, arguing that they do not belong to Frederick Kumi and are unrelated to the extradition offence. The court, however, ruled against us. The case was adjourned for 15 days, during which we are expected to file a habeas corpus application,” she added.
Expressing cautious optimism, Rosemary said the legal team remains hopeful of presenting a stronger case in subsequent proceedings.
“We believe that when we file the habeas corpus, we’ll be able to present our arguments fully and explain why Frederick cannot be extradited. Our hopes are cautious, but we remain optimistic,” she concluded.
Background
Facing charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering, Abu Trica’s defence team, led by Oliver Barker
Vormawor, filed a preliminary objection challenging the legal basis of the extradition proceedings. They argued that the offences cited are not covered under the 1931 extradition treaty between Ghana and the United States.
The defence contended that wire fraud and money laundering are not explicitly listed as extraditable offences under the treaty, and that the provision on conspiracy applies only to specific offences unrelated to the present case.
They further argued that Ghana cannot rely on more recent domestic laws to expand the scope of the treaty, insisting that any extradition must strictly adhere to the offences agreed upon by both countries.
Abu Trica was re-arrested by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) after he and his co-accused were discharged by the Gbese District Court on January 26, 2026, following the withdrawal of earlier charges by the state.
Prosecutors subsequently filed fresh charges of money laundering and conspiracy to defraud by false pretence against him.
The ongoing proceedings are to determine whether he should be extradited to the United States to stand trial. He was initially arrested on December 11, 2025, after being indicted by US authorities over his alleged role in a large-scale online romance scam estimated at over $8 million.
According to unsealed documents from the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio, he is accused of being part of a criminal network that targeted elderly victims across Ohio and other parts of the United States from 2023.
Prosecutors allege the group used artificial intelligence to create fake identities and build online relationships with senior citizens through social media and dating platforms, later deceiving them into sending money and valuables under false pretences.
The indictment further claims he facilitated the transfer and distribution of funds from Ohio to accomplices in Ghana and other locations. He faces charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and a forfeiture specification.
Source:ghanaweb.com
