Support for Frederick Kumi, widely known as Abu Trica, continues to gather momentum in Ghana’s entertainment space, with Kwaw Kese adding his voice to growing calls for his release as extradition proceedings loom.
The musician made the appeal during his performance at the Gomoa Street Carnival on April 6, 2026, where he briefly halted his set to address the crowd and direct a message at authorities. His comments echoed sentiments already expressed by Shatta Wale and others who argue that economic hardship is driving many young people toward unconventional means of survival.
“Free Abu Trica, free Abu… There are no jobs in Ghana, but when the boys rack their brains to earn dollars, you see the government reacting in a certain way… Free Abu Trica,” he said.
While public sympathy builds in some quarters, the legal process has taken a decisive turn. The Gbese District Court has approved a request for Frederick Kumi’s surrender to authorities in the United States, where he faces allegations tied to a major online fraud operation.
The case stems from an indictment accusing him of involvement in a romance scam said to exceed $8 million. Despite the ruling, the court has given him and his lawyers a 15-day window to contest the decision. Any move to extradite him will be paused within that period to allow for a potential habeas corpus challenge.
Attempts by the defence to frame the case as politically motivated or the result of entrapment were rejected by the court.
Kumi’s legal troubles have happened in stages. After an earlier discharge by the same court on January 26, 2026, following the withdrawal of initial charges, he was picked up again by the Narcotics Control Commission alongside his co-accused.
Prosecutors later returned with a new set of allegations, including money laundering and conspiracy to defraud by false pretence.
Details contained in unsealed filings from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio outline what investigators describe as a coordinated scheme targeting elderly individuals across parts of the United States beginning in 2023.
According to those documents, the network allegedly relied on artificial intelligence tools to construct fake identities and build trust with victims through social media and dating platforms before persuading them to part with money and valuables.
Authorities further claim Kumi helped move and distribute proceeds from the scheme to collaborators in Ghana and beyond.
He now faces a string of charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and a forfeiture specification, as the case continues to develop.
@ghana.eye Live updates: Kwaw Kese speaks following the release of Abu Trica amid the $8M romance and extraction case, sharing his thoughts on the situation. #viral #trending #fyp #viralvideo #ghanaeye ♬ original sound – GHANA EYE
Source:
www.zionfelix.net
