The Gbese District Court has approved the extradition of alleged internet fraud suspect Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, to the United States to face prosecution over an alleged multi-million-dollar romance scam.
The ruling, delivered on Thursday, March 27, 2026, dismissed an application by his legal team seeking to halt the extradition process, marking a significant development in the high-profile case.
Abu Trica’s lawyers had argued that the case did not meet the requirements under the extradition treaty and raised concerns about alleged political motivation and claims of entrapment. However, the court rejected these arguments, ruling that the offences satisfied the principle of double criminality—a key criterion in extradition cases.
The court directed that Abu Trica be handed over to U.S. authorities to commence extradition proceedings. He has, however, been granted a 15-day window to challenge the decision at the High Court through an application for habeas corpus.
Abu Trica, who was present in court for the ruling, is accused of orchestrating a romance scam that allegedly defrauded victims of over $8 million. U.S. prosecutors are seeking his transfer to face trial in a federal court, where he could face a lengthy prison sentence if convicted.
The ruling significantly weakens his attempt to block extradition, paving the way for Ghanaian authorities to collaborate with their U.S. counterparts to complete the process. Reports indicate that, if convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison under U.S. federal law.
The case has drawn widespread public attention due to the scale of the alleged fraud and its implications for Ghana’s role in the global fight against cybercrime.
