Accra: The girlfriend of Ghanaian social media personality Frederick Kumi, famously known as Abu Trica, alongside numerous supporters, organized a solidarity walk to call for his release from police custody. The group was seen in a viral video appealing for intervention from President John Dramani Mahama, as they marched with placards and chanted, "Mahama, please free Abu."
According to Ghana Web, the Gbese District Court recently approved a request to extradite Frederick Kumi to the United States, following his indictment in connection with an alleged $8 million online romance scam. However, Abu Trica's legal team has been granted a 15-day window to contest the court's ruling, postponing the extradition process during this period for a potential habeas corpus application.
The court dismissed allegations of political motivation and entrapment. Rosemary, a member of Abu Trica's legal team, explained that multiple preliminary objections filed by the defense were overruled. She highlighted the typically swift nature of extradition proceedings and the defense's efforts to safeguard their client's interests by delaying the process. Despite the court's dismissal of an application requesting the disclosure of seized items, Rosemary expressed cautious optimism about the forthcoming habeas corpus filing.
Abu Trica faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. Led by Oliver Barker-Vormawor, his defense argues that these offenses are not explicitly covered under the 1931 extradition treaty between Ghana and the United States. The defense contends that Ghana cannot extend the treaty's scope through more recent domestic laws.
Initially discharged by the Gbese District Court on January 26, 2026, Abu Trica was re-arrested by the Narcotics Control Commission after the state withdrew earlier charges. Prosecutors later filed new charges of money laundering and conspiracy to defraud by false pretence. Unsealed documents from the US Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Ohio allege Abu Trica's involvement in a criminal network targeting elderly victims through artificial intelligence-generated identities. The indictment accuses him of facilitating fund transfers from Ohio to accomplices in Ghana and other locations.