Frederick Kumi, widely known as Abu Trica, has been re-arrested shortly after the High Court struck out his certiorari application challenging earlier proceedings at the Gbese District Court.
The court ruled that the application had become moot after the state withdrew charges against him and two other accused persons, leading to their discharge.
Abu Trica is wanted in connection with alleged romance fraud, for which the United States has submitted an extradition request to Ghanaian authorities. His lawyers say he is willing to cooperate with all lawful processes.
Despite the withdrawal of the charges, he returned to the High Court seeking to quash aspects of the District Court’s handling of the case, arguing that unresolved legal issues remained. The Attorney-General’s Department opposed the move, maintaining that there was no longer a live matter before the court.
Counsel for Abu Trica, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, told the court his client remained in custody despite the discharge, describing the situation as a gap between the law and its enforcement.
Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai assured the court that steps would be taken to secure his release if he was being unlawfully detained. The court subsequently struck out the application.
However, shortly after the ruling, Abu Trica was re-arrested by state authorities, raising fresh uncertainty about the direction of the case.
Speaking to journalists, defence counsel confirmed that all three accused persons had been formally discharged following the withdrawal of charges. He added that they had since been taken to the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) headquarters. While the reason was not officially disclosed, he suggested it might be for administrative purposes.
