The ‘accomplices’
The Attorney General (AG) has dropped all charges against Lord Eshun and Bernard Aidoo, two ‘accomplices’ who allegedly conspired with Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, to defraud foreign nationals in the US of over $8 million dollars.
“Take notice that the Honourable Attorney-General has, pursuant to Section 59 of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act, 1960 (Act 30), withdrawn LORD ESHUN (the 2nd Accused Person) and BERNARD AIDOO (the 3rd Accused Person) herein from prosecution in respect of all the charges brought against them in this case,” the notice of withdrawal signed by Deputy Attorney General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai reads.
The decision comes just two days after the Gbese District Court in Accra was informed that the state sought to discharge the two.
The court had fixed February 7, 2026 to rule on an oral application made by lawyers for Abu Trica for him to be discharged as well since the only charge brought against him is conspiracy, and one person cannot conspire under Ghanaian law.
While the court’s decision is still pending, the Attorney General has by this notice terminated all criminal proceedings against Lord Eshun and Bernard Aidoo, further raising questions about what could have necessitated the decision.
A joint operation carried out by a team of Ghanaian and US security agencies led to the arrest of 31-year-old Kumi on December 11, 2025.
The arrest was made possible through the collaboration between the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio and Ghana’s security agencies such as Attorney General’s Office, Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), and Ghana Police Service.
Abu Trica has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and a forfeiture specification, and faces up to 20 years in prison, according to the US Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Ohio.
According to recently unsealed indictment, Kumi is accused of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) software to assume false identities and form close personal relationships with victims, through social media and online dating platforms, and gain their trust before extorting them of their money and valuables.
The indictment indicated that the victims were often elderly and engaged in romantic but physically distant relationships with perpetrators.
The perpetrators built trust through frequent, intimate conversations by phone, email, and messaging platforms, the indictment noted.
It said the perpetrators then requested money or valuables under false pretenses, such as urgent medical needs, travel expenses, or investment opportunities.
Relying on these misrepresentations, victims were persuaded to send funds or valuables, which were then directed to co-conspirators posing as third parties.
The indictment also alleges that after the victims transferred funds, Abu Trica worked with a network of co-conspirators to distribute the money from Ohio and across the United States to associates in Ghana and other locations.
Abu Trica is famed for flaunting luxury items including cash and luxury cars on his social media pages, which have over 100,000 followers.
BY Gibril Abdul Razak