An Accra High Court has thrown out an application filed by Ghanaian socialite Fredrick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, seeking to stop his extradition to the United States to face charges linked to an alleged $8 million romance scam.
His lawyers filed a certiorari application on May 19, 2026, seeking to quash a ruling by the Gbese District Court, that authorised his extradition in connection with ongoing criminal proceedings in the US.
But that application was dismissed on Thursday, with the court upholding the earlier ruling.
His lawyer, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, confirmed the ruling on Thursday, July 2, describing it as fast-tracked.
Barker-Vormawor, who said he was out of the country on work duties when the ruling was delivered broke the news himself on Facebook: “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.”
A Supreme Court appeal?
Barker-Vormawor has hinted that his team intends to challenge the High Court’s decision at Ghana’s apex court, the last available step in the judicial process.
This would most likely take the form of another certiorari application, similar to the one just rejected at the High Court, asking the Supreme Court to quash the extradition order.
An appeal, however, does not automatically stop the extradition, but it does buy time.
Filing at the Supreme Court keeps the matter in the courts rather than moving straight to the executive stage, and Kumi is expected to remain in Ghana on his existing GH¢30 million bail while it’s heard.
What are his chances at the Supreme Court?
His chances will be determined after the determination by the apex court. He will be praying the odds go in his favour.
What happens if the Supreme Court rules against him?
Then the case leaves the courts entirely.
Under Ghana’s Extradition Act, 1960 (Act 22), the file goes to the Attorney-General, who has final authority to issue a surrender warrant.
Once signed, Ghanaian authorities will hand Abu Trica over to US marshals for transfer.
What happens once he’s in the US?
Once in the US, he would be arraigned before the federal court in the Northern District of Ohio on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Each wire fraud count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years.
