Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, has suffered a major legal setback after the High Court in Accra dismissed his application challenging an earlier ruling ordering his extradition to the United States to stand trial over his alleged involvement in an $8 million international romance scam targeting elderly victims.
The decision, delivered on Thursday, July 2, 2026, affirmed an earlier ruling by the Gbese District Court, which granted a request by Ghana’s Attorney-General for Kumi’s extradition.
He is wanted by U.S. authorities to face charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
According to prosecutors in the United States, Abu Trica allegedly played a key role in a sophisticated international romance fraud syndicate that preyed on elderly Americans through fake online relationships.
Investigators claim victims were manipulated into believing they were in genuine romantic relationships before being convinced to send large sums of money.
Authorities also allege that artificial intelligence tools were used to create fake identities and communicate with victims, with the scheme reportedly causing losses exceeding $8 million. Kumi has denied all allegations against him.
The High Court’s latest decision came after his legal team sought to overturn the extradition order issued by the Gbese District Court, arguing that the offences of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering were not covered under the 1931 Extradition Treaty between Ghana and the United States.
They further contended that the extradition request was politically motivated.
However, the courts dismissed those arguments, ruling that although the offences are not specifically listed in the 1931 treaty, international conventions governing money laundering and conspiracy provide a valid legal basis for the extradition.
Following Thursday’s ruling, lawyer Oliver Barker-Vormawor, confirmed the development in a Facebook post, revealing that the legal team intends to challenge the decision at the Supreme Court.
“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.
Prior to the ruling, the High Court had granted Abu Trica bail in the sum of GH¢30 million with two sureties, both to be justified with landed property. The bail came after he had remained in custody since his arrest in December 2025 during a joint operation involving Ghanaian security agencies and their counterparts in the United States. His earlier attempts to secure bail while the extradition proceedings were pending had been unsuccessful.