The High Court in Accra has approved the extradition of Fredrick Kumi, popularly known as “Abu Trica”, to the United States, where he is wanted to stand trial over his alleged involvement in a romance fraud scheme said to have defrauded victims of approximately US$8 million.
The ruling marks a significant development in the high-profile extradition case after U.S. authorities formally requested Kumi’s transfer to face criminal charges.
His lawyer, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, confirmed the court’s decision in a Facebook post on Thursday, July 2, saying he received news of the ruling while outside Ghana on official duties.
“I am out of Ghana for work. I just heard that the case of Abu Trica has been fast tracked and a judge has just ordered his extradition. Hmmm. FBI 1 – Abu 1. I guess this issue goes to the Supreme Court,” he wrote.
The decision follows months of legal proceedings during which the High Court granted Kumi bail in the sum of GH¢30 million with two justified sureties pending the determination of the extradition request.
United States authorities allege that Kumi was part of a romance scam network that defrauded victims of millions of dollars through fraudulent online schemes.
The latest ruling clears the way for his extradition to the United States unless the decision is overturned on appeal.
Mr. Barker-Vormawor’s comments indicate that the defence is considering challenging the ruling before the Supreme Court, a move that could temporarily suspend the extradition process while the case undergoes further judicial review.
The case has attracted significant public attention because of the scale of the alleged fraud and the close cooperation between Ghanaian and United States law enforcement agencies in pursuing the extradition request.
Should an appeal be filed, the Supreme Court will be expected to determine whether the High Court properly exercised its jurisdiction in granting the extradition order before Kumi can be transferred to the United States to face trial.
