The Gbese District Court has remanded Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, into custody following his re-arrest by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) as his extradition case to the United States moves forward.
At a hearing on Wednesday, February 25, the court ordered that the suspect remain in police custody and scheduled the next appearance for March 18, 2026.
Abu Trica’s re-arrest comes shortly after he and his co-accused were discharged by the same court in relation to an indictment filed by U.S. authorities. The case involves allegations of an $8 million romance scam that reportedly targeted elderly victims in the United States.
The scheme, which drew international attention, accused the suspects of operating an online fraud network designed to deceive victims into sending large sums of money under false pretences.
Court proceedings on Wednesday did not disclose the specific grounds for the latest re-arrest. However, the development signals renewed legal action as authorities pursue the extradition process requested by U.S. investigators.
Extradition Process Underway
The case is part of ongoing cooperation between Ghanaian law enforcement and international partners in tackling transnational cybercrime and financial fraud.
With extradition proceedings now active, Abu Trica will remain in custody until the next court date, when the court is expected to review the status of the process and any further submissions by prosecutors and defence counsel.
The alleged romance scam is said to have involved coordinated online interactions with victims, many of whom were elderly and vulnerable, resulting in significant financial losses.
Growing Focus on Cross-Border Fraud
The renewed court action highlights the increasing scrutiny of cyber-enabled financial crimes and the role of cross-border legal collaboration in addressing them.
Authorities have intensified efforts in recent years to investigate and prosecute individuals linked to international fraud networks operating from Ghana.
For now, the court has ordered that Abu Trica remain in detention pending the next hearing, as the legal process determines whether he will be extradited to face charges in the United States.
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