Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has raised explosive allegations that the government’s ‘inordinate rush’ to extradite socialite Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, to the United States may be motivated by a hidden agenda involving a secret loan deal with Washington.
Speaking on TV3’s The Key Points on Saturday, Kpebu questioned why the government appeared determined to bypass judicial processes, describing the extradition as ‘shameful’ and ‘contempt of court’.
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Hidden agenda
“When things happen like this where there’s a matter pending before a judge, and you know that Ghanaians have become very savvy… Why this inordinate rush?” Kpebu asked.
The outspoken lawyer suggested the government’s actions point to a critical need from the United States, warning Ghanaians to watch for what may follow.
“So the point is that is there a loan we are looking for from the US? When you see this inordinate rush, it means that there is something we critically need from the US at this point,” he argued.
Kpebu described the extradition as a travesty of justice, noting that pending court proceedings were ignored.
He further warned that any contempt proceedings would not only target the Attorney General but also the Foreign Minister, making the matter unwieldy.
Extradition
Abu Trica was extradited to the United States on Thursday, July 9, aboard Delta Airlines flight DL 157, following a High Court ruling on July 2 that ordered his surrender to US authorities.
The social media influencer faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering over an alleged $8 million romance scam targeting elderly Americans.
Prosecutors allege he used AI tools to create fake online identities, building relationships with victims through social media and dating platforms before soliciting money under false pretences.
The lawyer noted that Abu Trica’s legal team, led by Oliver Barker-Vormawor, was not formally notified before the extradition was executed.
Barker-Vormawor, he said, had earlier raised concerns about being unable to access his client, who was reportedly taken to the Police Hospital in Accra.