Fresh details have emerged in the ongoing United States federal criminal case involving Ghanaian socialite Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, following comments from American journalist Larry Miller after speaking with the businessman’s legal team.
In a video shared on social media on July 11, 2026, Miller disclosed that he had spoken with Abu Trica’s defence attorney, Henry Hilow, shortly after the Ghanaian’s first appearance before a US federal court.
According to Miller, Hilow declined to make any official public comments regarding the case but indicated that the defence is currently focused on reviewing the evidence the prosecution is required to disclose during the discovery phase of the criminal proceedings.
“I spoke with his attorney on Friday, July 10. The attorney said he had no official comment but was looking forward to reviewing the discovery in the case,” Miller stated.
Meanwhile, newly released court documents signed by Judge John Adams have outlined the next major milestones in the high-profile case.
According to the court’s schedule, a pretrial conference has been fixed for August 25, 2026, at 11:30 a.m., while the jury trial is expected to commence on September 8, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.
The court also made it clear that it will not consider any plea agreement after the pretrial conference, meaning both the prosecution and defence must reach any negotiated settlement before the August 25 deadline.
Abu Trica has pleaded not guilty to two federal charges—conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The Swedru-based businessman was extradited from Ghana to the United States after American authorities accused him of participating in an alleged international romance fraud scheme.
According to US prosecutors, Abu Trica allegedly conspired with Daniel Yusufi and other individuals to use artificial intelligence tools to create fake online identities, build romantic relationships with victims, and convince them to send money under false pretences.
The prosecution alleges that the scheme targeted victims through sophisticated online deception, resulting in substantial financial losses.