Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, has been extradited to the United States to face charges over his alleged involvement in an $8 million romance fraud scheme.
Reports indicate that Kumi was flown out of Ghana on Thursday, July 9, 2026, on Delta Airlines flight DL 157, ending months of legal proceedings over his transfer.
US authorities accuse Kumi of being part of a scheme that targeted elderly Americans through fake online identities and relationships, allegedly using artificial intelligence tools to deceive victims into sending money. He faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering.
Kumi was arrested in Ghana on December 11, 2025, in a joint operation involving Ghanaian security agencies and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
He was later granted a GH¢30 million bail with two justified sureties while his lawyers challenged the extradition process. The legal battle intensified after the Accra High Court on July 2, 2026, dismissed an application by his lawyers seeking to overturn a Gbese District Court decision approving the Attorney-General’s request for his extradition.
Following the ruling, security officials rearrested Kumi to begin arrangements for his transfer to the US.
His lawyer, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, had criticised the process, saying the case was fast-tracked while he was away on official duties.
The defence team subsequently filed an emergency application on July 3 to stop the extradition, arguing that the process was rushed and that they were not given adequate notice.
Despite the legal challenge, Kumi was eventually flown to the US.
It remains unclear how his extradition will affect the separate human rights case.
Story by: Moudlyn Dzefe
