The Gbese District Court has granted a request to surrender Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, to United States authorities following his indictment over an alleged $8 million online romance scam.
The ruling allows the extradition process to move forward, although Abu Trica and his legal team have been given 15 days to challenge the decision. During this period, the extradition will be put on hold to allow the defence to file a habeas corpus application aimed at stopping or delaying the process.
The court also rejected claims that the case was politically motivated or that Abu Trica had been entrapped, dismissing several preliminary objections filed by the defence.
Speaking after the court session on Friday, March 27, 2026, a member of Abu Trica’s legal team, who identified herself as Rosemary, explained that multiple legal objections raised by the defence were dismissed as part of the extradition proceedings.
According to her, the legal team had filed various preliminary applications in an attempt to challenge the extradition, but the court ruled against them.
She noted that extradition cases typically move quickly, but the defence has tried to slow down the process to ensure their client’s rights are protected. Despite their efforts, she admitted that the court has continued to dismiss their applications.
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Rosemary also highlighted a specific objection filed by the defence regarding items seized during investigations. The legal team argued that the confiscated items did not belong to Frederick Kumi and were not connected to the extradition offence, but the court ruled against the request and adjourned the case for 15 days to allow for the habeas corpus filing.
She expressed cautious confidence that the legal team would present stronger arguments in the next phase of proceedings, stating that they remain hopeful the habeas corpus application will provide an opportunity to explain why their client should not be extradited to the United States.
Background of the Case
Abu Trica is facing charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering in the United States, prompting extradition proceedings in Ghana.
His defence team, led by lawyer Oliver Barker Vormawor, had earlier challenged the legal basis of the extradition, arguing that the offences listed in the US indictment are not covered under the 1931 extradition treaty between Ghana and the United States.
According to the defence, crimes such as wire fraud and money laundering are not specifically listed as extraditable offences under the treaty, and the conspiracy clause only applies to certain offences unrelated to the present case. They also argued that Ghana cannot rely on newer domestic laws to expand the treaty’s scope, insisting that extradition must strictly follow the original agreement between both countries.
Re-arrest and Fresh Charges
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, when the state withdrew earlier charges.
Following his re-arrest, prosecutors filed fresh charges including money laundering and conspiracy to defraud by false pretence as part of ongoing legal proceedings to determine whether he should be extradited to stand trial in the United States.
US Indictment Details
Abu Trica was initially arrested on December 11, 2025, after being indicted by US authorities over his alleged involvement in a large-scale online romance scam estimated at more than $8 million.
Court documents from the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio indicate that he is suspected of being part of a criminal network that targeted elderly victims across Ohio and other parts of the United States beginning in 2023.
Prosecutors allege that members of the network used artificial intelligence to create fake identities and build online relationships with elderly individuals through social media and dating platforms before convincing them to send money and valuables under false pretences.
The indictment also claims that Abu Trica helped facilitate the movement and distribution of funds from victims in Ohio to accomplices in Ghana and other locations. He is facing charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and forfeiture-related offences.
The ongoing legal process will ultimately determine whether he will be extradited to the United States to stand trial for the alleged crimes.
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