Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, was re-arrested on Monday, January 26, shortly after the High Court struck out his certiorari application challenging proceedings at the Gbese District Court.
Abu Trica is facing allegations of romance fraud, for which the United States of America has submitted an extradition request to Ghanaian authorities.
Extradition proceedings involving Abu Trica and two other accused persons were initially before the Gbese District Court. However, the State later discontinued the case against the two co-accused.
Following the discontinuation, lawyers for Abu Trica argued that since the charge before the District Court was conspiracy, the withdrawal of the case against the other accused persons effectively collapsed the charge against their client. The District Court upheld the argument and subsequently discharged all three accused persons.
Despite his discharge, Abu Trica returned to the High Court to pursue an application for certiorari, seeking to quash aspects of the District Court’s earlier proceedings.
At the High Court, the Attorney-General’s office argued that the application had become moot, citing the discontinuation of the prosecution and the applicant’s discharge. Counsel for Abu Trica, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, countered that his client remained in detention despite the withdrawal of charges, describing the situation as a disconnect between the law and its practical application.
The Deputy Attorney-General, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, assured the court that steps would be taken to secure Abu Trica’s immediate release if he was still being held unlawfully.
The court subsequently struck out the certiorari application, ruling that once the applicant had been discharged, there was no live issue for determination.
However, shortly after the High Court proceedings, Abu Trica was re-arrested by state authorities, reigniting public interest and legal scrutiny surrounding the extradition process.
