Accra: American reporter Larry Miller has shared fresh details after speaking with the lawyer representing Ghanaian socialite Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, in his US federal criminal case.
According to Ghana Web, Miller disclosed in a video shared on social media on July 11, 2026, that he spoke with Abu Trica’s attorney, Henry Hilow, a criminal defence lawyer, following the socialite’s first court appearance. Hilow declined to make any official public statement on the case but mentioned that the defence team was looking forward to reviewing the evidence the prosecution is required to provide during the discovery process.
Court records have also revealed the next major stages in the case. A pretrial conference has been scheduled for August 25, 2026, at 11:30 a.m., while the jury trial is expected to begin on September 8, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. According to Miller, court records signed by Judge John Adams state that the court will not accept any plea agreement after the pretrial conference on August 25, 2026. This indicates that if the prosecution and defence intend to resolve the case through a plea agreement, they must reach an agreement before that date.
Abu Trica, whose real name is Frederick Kumi, has pleaded not guilty to two federal charges: conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The Ghanaian socialite was extradited from Ghana to the United States after being accused of conspiring with Daniel Yussif and other individuals in an alleged online fraud scheme. According to US court documents, prosecutors allege that the group used artificial intelligence tools to create fake identities and establish online relationships with victims before allegedly convincing them to send money under false pretences.
The documents further state that while both the prosecution and defence remain free to negotiate a plea agreement, any such agreement must be reached before the August 25 pretrial conference, as the court will not accept a plea deal after that stage. As Miller noted, Abu Trica’s attorney reiterated that he had no comment but was looking forward to reviewing the discovery in the case.