Abu Trica Arrested in Ghana: Lawyer Oliver Barker-Vormawor Vows to Fight Extradition Unless Ken Ofori-Atta Is Returned from the United States

Anthony Amponsah December 11, 2025

Read: Ghanaian Entrepreneur Abu Trica Arrested in $8 Million US Fraud Case

Swedru businessman Frederick Kumi, popularly known by the alias Abu Trica, was arrested in Ghana on December 11, 2025, following an indictment unsealed by the United States Department of Justice. Abu Trica now faces serious federal charges in the U.S. tied to an alleged $8 million romance fraud and wire fraud conspiracy that targeted elderly Americans. The arrest has sparked significant legal and public debate, particularly after comments by Ghanaian lawyer and anti-corruption campaigner Oliver Barker-Vormawor, who insists he is prepared to contest any extradition order unless similar legal scrutiny is brought to bear on former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.

Who Is Abu Trica and What Are the Charges?

Abu Trica, whose full name is Frederick Kumi but also known as Emmanuel Kojo Baah Obeng, was detained in Ghana at the request of U.S. law enforcement. The indictment alleges that Trica played a central role in an organized network that used artificial intelligence and deceptive online personas to cultivate romantic relationships with elderly U.S. victims, ultimately defrauding them of more than USD 8 million.

The charges outlined by U.S. authorities include:

Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud
Money Laundering Conspiracy
Asset Forfeiture Specification.

Under U.S. federal law, these offenses carry a potential prison sentence of up to 20 years if convicted.

According to the indictment, the alleged criminal network operated internationally and leveraged social media and dating platforms under false identities to deceive victims.

Oliver Barker-Vormawor’s Position on the Extradition

Following the arrest, Oliver Barker-Vormawor took to social media to make a bold and controversial statement: he would fight any attempt to extradite Abu Trica to the United States unless Ghana first demanded the extradition of Ken Ofori-Atta, the former Finance Minister currently linked to high-profile corruption allegations and legal proceedings. Barker-Vormawor’s reasoning centers on what he describes as a double standard in extradition practices and accountability for Ghanaian public figures.

In his post, Barker-Vormawor said:

> “This one paa dier I am ready to defend Abu Trica to fight the extradition. If they won’t bring Ken Ofori-Atta; then good lawyers must intervene for Abu. Draw-Draw!”

His remarks have stirred reactions on social media, with some voices supporting his stance as a call for equal treatment under the law, while others see it as tactical rhetoric.

The Ofori-Atta Extradition and Legal Saga

The matter of Ken Ofori-Atta’s legal status has been complicated and widely discussed in Ghana. Ofori-Atta served as Ghana’s Minister of Finance from 2017 until 2024, and was later pursued by Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) on allegations of corruption related to multiple contracts, including a high-value deal with Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML).

Legal actions around Ofori-Atta have included:

Multiple summonses to appear before the OSP for questioning and investigation.
The former minister being declared a fugitive from justice.
Interpol issuing a Red Notice for his location and provisional arrest as part of the international cooperation process.
Initiation of criminal proceedings in the Accra High Court, where Ofori-Atta and others face 78 corruption and corruption-related charges tied to alleged financial losses to the Ghanaian state.

While Barker-Vormawor’s comments specifically link Ofori-Atta’s situation to Abu Trica’s, the legal and diplomatic frameworks for extradition are distinct. In Ghana’s system, the Attorney-General’s Department holds the constitutional authority to make formal extradition requests, and such processes typically require detailed case dockets and legal justification packages before they can proceed. As of late 2025, some officials indicated that necessary documentation from the Special Prosecutor’s Office had not yet been fully transmitted to the Attorney-General, creating procedural delays in any potential extradition request for Ofori-Atta.

Broader Implications and Public Reaction

The arrest of Abu Trica and Barker-Vormawor’s response highlight several key issues:

Cross-border law enforcement cooperation, particularly between Ghana and the United States on fraud and cybercrime cases.
Perceptions of equity in international criminal justice, especially when high-profile political figures are involved.
Public confidence in domestic anti-corruption institutions and extradition mechanisms.

Some Ghanaians have taken to social media suggesting a symbolic exchange framework, arguing that if one high-profile suspect is targeted internationally, others should face the same scrutiny. Others emphasize that due process, rule of law, and jurisdictions’ sovereignty must be respected in each case.

Conclusion

The arrest of Abu Trica adds another chapter to ongoing debates around transnational crime, extradition, and legal accountability for both private citizens and public officials in Ghana. As legal maneuvers unfold, both domestically and through international cooperation channels, the outcomes may influence future approaches to extradition, prosecution, and public trust in justice systems. The intersection of public perception and formal legal process will continue to shape how these cases are viewed in the months ahead.