"ABU TRICA'S LAWYERS AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ARE TO BLAME FOR HIS EXTRADITION," SAYS LAWYER NANA ONNWONA ASUAKO KWAPONG

Following the extradition of social media influencer Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, to the United States on Thursday, July 9, Lawyer Nana Onnwona Asuako Kwapong has criticised both Abu Trica's legal team and the Attorney General, arguing that the extradition could have been prevented. Abu Trica was extradited to the United States in the custody of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to face charges relating to an alleged US$8 million romance scam that reportedly targeted elderly Americans. Speaking in a phone interview on the Ghana Nti Morning Show with Nana Nhyiraba Kwabena Asirifi, Lawyer Nana Onnwona Asuako Kwapong said he strongly disagrees with the decision to extradite Ghanaian citizens when, in his view, Ghana's legal institutions are capable of handling such cases. According to him, the judicial process was not properly followed, a situation he believes undermines confidence in Ghana's justice system. He argued that once an appeal has been filed and a hearing date has been set, an extradition should not proceed until the appeal has been determined. "When it comes to the law, everyone's interpretation differs," he said. Lawyer Kwapong further stated that if Abu Trica had remained in Ghana, his legal team would have had several opportunities to defend him and clear his name through the country's judicial process. While acknowledging that the Government of Ghana has the authority to prosecute offences committed within its jurisdiction, he maintained that Abu Trica's chances of securing a favourable legal outcome would have been much higher in Ghana than in the United States. He also argued that Abu Trica's lawyers, together with the Attorney General, bear responsibility for the extradition because, in his opinion, they failed to take the necessary legal steps to prevent it. He further claimed that if Abu Trica is convicted in the United States, he could face a lengthy prison sentence, suggesting that the minimum sentence could be as much as 20 years. Lawyer Kwapong added that if Abu Trica had been a resident of, or previously lived in, the United States, he might have qualified for legal aid. Nevertheless, he noted that Abu Trica has the right to plead not guilty to the charges against him and stressed that he will require experienced and competent legal representation to defend his case before the U.S. courts. He concluded by emphasising the importance of securing capable legal counsel to ensure that Abu Trica receives a fair trial.