Abu Trica
Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, has sued government, state security agencies and the United States Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) for the “physical and psychological distress” he suffered following his arrest on allegations of defrauding US citizens a total of $8 million in romance scam.
The suit, filed before a High Court in Accra, attached the Minister for the Interior, Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), the FBI, Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and the Attorney General (AG) as defendants.
Abu Trica, who is still in custody, alleges that his prolonged detention by officers of NACOC, EOCO and the AG from the morning until late evening during his arrest on December 11, 2025, whilst continuously restrained in handcuffs, deprived of food, water, rest, and basic human necessities, and subjected to physical and psychological distress, constitutes torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment contrary to Article 15 of the 1992 Constitution, and is therefore unlawful and unconstitutional.
The suit also avers that the questioning and interrogation of Abu Trica at the time of his arrest, by officers of NACOC, EOCO and AG, whilst he was restrained in handcuffs, surrounded by armed officers, and subjected to threats and intimidation, and in denial of his request to counsel of his choice, violated his constitutional rights to legal representation, dignity, and a fair trial under Articles 15 and 19 of the 1992 Constitution, and is unlawful and unconstitutional.
The suit further alleges that the detention, coercive interrogation, and subsequent arraignment of Abu Trica without access to counsel violated his right to counsel, which amounted to a violation of his right to fair trial.
It is also his case that the decision and conduct of officers of the NACOC in permitting agents of FBI, a foreign law enforcement personnel, to interrogate him without access to counsel, was unlawful and in violation of Articles 14 and 19 of the 1992 Constitution.
He also argues that the statements, signature, password, electronic access credential, or other information obtained from him while he was in custody, without access to or the presence of counsel and under conditions of compulsion or coercion, is involuntary, unlawfully procured, unconstitutional, and of no legal effect.
Again, he says the search of his residence known as “Abu Trica’s Mansion” in Swedru in the Central Region by officers NACOC, EOCO and AG, conducted whilst he was already in their custody and without affording him the opportunity to be present or represented during the said search, violated his constitutional rights to privacy, property, and fair process under Articles 18 and 23 of the 1992 Constitution and is unlawful and unconstitutional.
Another issue raised in the suit is the recording of Abu Trica whilst under arrest and in custody, and the publication, dissemination, or circulation of such recording on social media, arguing it is unlawful and unconstitutional.
He is, therefore, seeking an order excluding and rendering inadmissible in any criminal, extradition or administrative proceedings any item, document, electronic device, or information obtained from the search of his residence.
He also wants an order excluding and rendering inadmissible in any criminal, extradition, or administrative proceedings any statement, admission, signature, password, electronic access credential, digital data, or other information obtained from him during custodial interrogation conducted without counsel or under coercive circumstances.
He further wants an order restraining the FBI, its officers, agents, or assigns, from exercising any arrest, detention, investigative, or interrogation powers over him within the territory of Ghana.
He also wants an order directing NACOC, FBI, EOCO and AG to pay him GH¢10 million as compensation for the violations of his constitutional rights, including damages for unlawful arrest, detention, coercive interrogation, inhuman and degrading treatment, invasion of privacy, and psychological and emotional distress.
Again, he wants a restraining order against the defendants from transferring or extraditing him to any foreign state or authority pending the determination of the suit.
BY Gibril Abdul Razak