Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, has sued the government of Ghana and the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) at the High Court.
According to reports, Abu Trica alleges a harrowing ordeal of torture, unlawful detention, and a blatant disregard for his fundamental human rights.
Abu Trica is seeking GH₵10 million in compensation in a motion filed at the Human Rights Division of the High Court in Accra.
His suit names the Minister for Interior, the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), the FBI, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), and the Attorney-General over what he describes as a coordinated campaign of “cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment” after he was arrested on December 11 2025.
The embattled Abu Trica claim his arrest and detention were marked by physical violence, coercive interrogations by foreign agents, and the looting of his personal property, adding that he was handcuffed, starved, and interrogated by foreign agents.
The court documents show lawyers of Abu Trica claim that over 15 armed officers stormed his apartment in the Airport Residential Area while he was playing video games with friends.
“Abu Trica claims he was immediately handcuffed and remained restrained from morning until late evening without access to food, water, or rest.
The most striking allegation involves the 3rd Respondent, the FBI.
Kumi asserts that while in the custody of Ghanaian authorities, he was subjected to a coercive interrogation by three foreign nationals introduced as FBI agents.
He claims these agents, who possess no independent police powers in Ghana, forced him to sign documents he could not read due to limited literacy and threatened to link him to fraudulent transactions worth up to $8 million if he did not disclose his phone passwords”, reports suggested.
“The decision and conduct of officers of the 2nd Respondent in permitting agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation… to interrogate the Applicant without access to Counsel, was unlawful and in violation of Articles 14 and 19 of the 1992 Constitution,” the motion states.
He further alleged that while he remained in custody, officers from NACOC and EOCO allegedly conducted unauthorised searches of his residence, known as “Abu Trica’s Mansion,” in Swedru.
“Abu Trica is demanding justice and an end to foreign interference in addition to the GH₵10 million compensation.
Abu Trica is also praying the court for several critical orders:
Exclusion of Evidence: An order rendering any information or items obtained during the “coercive” interrogations and “unauthorised” searches inadmissible in any future proceedings.
Interlocutory Injunction: A restraining order to prevent the State from extraditing or deporting him to any foreign state pending the final determination of the suit.
Restraint of the FBI: A specific order restraining the FBI and its agents from exercising any investigative or interrogation powers over him within Ghanaian territory”.
Meanwhile, Abu Trica was rearrested after he was discharged together with two others by the Gbese District Court.
Abu Trica has been rearrested by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC).
In a post on social media, TV3 stated, “NACOC rearrests Abu Trica at the Accra High Court after he was discharged by the Gbese District Court”.
Background
Abu Trica, a 31-year-old Ghanaian from Swedru, was arrested for his alleged involvement in an $8 million romance scam which targeted elderly victims in the United States.
He was arrested in Ghana on December 11, 2025, following an investigation conducted by the FBI Cleveland Division and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. McDonough for the Northern District of Ohio.
The US Department of Justice wrote, “According to the indictment, perpetrators of this romance scam used Artificial Intelligence software to assume false identities and form close personal relationships with victims. They gained victims’ trust to obtain money and valuables, often targeting individuals through social media and online dating platforms under false pretences.
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. They 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, Kumi worked with a network of co-conspirators to distribute the money from Ohio and across the United States to associates in the Republic of Ghana and other locations.
Kumi has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and a forfeiture specification, and faces up to 20 years in prison”.
It further added, “If convicted, a defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after a review of factors unique to this case, including a defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, his role in the offence, and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentences will not exceed the statutory maximum, and in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt”.
See the post below:
Frederick Kumi (Abu Trica) is suing the Interior Ministry, NACOC, EOCO, and the FBI for arrest, detention, and rights violations.#3NewsGH #TV3GH pic.twitter.com/UQNNZn5yHo
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) February 9, 2026