Abu Trica
The hopes of embattled Frederick Kumi, known popularly as Abu Trica, for a temporary reprieve pending his extradition proceedings were dashed yesterday, following the decision of a High Court in Accra to deny him bail.
Abu Trica, who is known for flaunting a luxurious lifestyle on social media, is accused of defrauding United States (US) citizens of over $8 million through romance scam.
Although the case is pending before a Gbese District Court, his lawyers filed an application before the High Court praying it to grant him bail pending the proceedings to extradite him to the US to stand trial.
Their main argument was based on the suspect’s health condition, with the lawyers urging the court to grant him bail so that he could receive proper medical care.
The application was opposed by the Office of the Attorney General, which argued that the accused has been receiving medical treatment while in custody.
The court, presided over by Justice Bertha Aniagyei, after hearing arguments from the lawyers, refused the bail application, leaving the accused in the custody of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) until the District Court determines his fate.
Meanwhile, another High Court has adjourned to January 26, an application for judicial review and certiorari filed by lawyer for Abu Trica and his co-accused; Lord Eshun and Bernard Baidoo, seeking to quash the extradition proceedings at the District Court.
The adjournment is to afford the Office of the Attorney General the opportunity to respond to the application filed on January 15, 2026.
The court, presided over by Justice Halimah El-Alawa Abdul-Baasit, also turned down a request by Oliver Barker Vormawor for the court to consider an oral application for bail for the accused persons.
According to her, she is restricting herself to the application before her and will not “stray into other matters.”
Oliver Barker Vormawor further indicated that the court had jurisdiction to discharge Lord Eshun and Bernard Aidoo since the prosecution has withdrawn them from prosecution, but are still in custody.
Justice Abdul-Baasit also turned down this request on ground that she is limiting herself to the application before the court.
The Attorney General last week dropped all charges against Lord Eshun and Bernard Aidoo, two ‘accomplices’ who allegedly conspired with Abu Trica to dupe his victims.
A joint operation carried out by a team of Ghanaian and US security agencies led to the arrest of 31-year-old Kumi on December 11, 2025.
The arrest was made possible through the collaboration between the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio and Ghana’s security agencies such as Attorney General’s Office, Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), and Ghana Police Service.
Abu Trica has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and a forfeiture specification, and faces up to 20 years in prison, according to the US Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Ohio.
According to recently unsealed indictment, Kumi is accused of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) software to assume false identities and form close personal relationships with victims, through social media and online dating platforms, and gain their trust before extorting them of their money and valuables.
BY Gibril Abdul Razak
