Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, has filed a lawsuit against the Government of Ghana and the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), alleging torture, unlawful detention, and gross violations of his fundamental human rights following his arrest over alleged cyber fraud activities.
The suit, filed at the Human Rights Division of the High Court in Accra, seeks GH₵10 million in compensation for what Kumi describes as a coordinated campaign of “cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment” following his arrest on December 11, 2025.
Named as respondents in the case are the Minister for the Interior, the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Attorney-General.
According to court documents, Kumi alleges that his arrest was carried out violently, with more than 15 armed officers storming his apartment at Airport Residential Area while he was playing video games with friends. He claims he was immediately handcuffed and kept restrained from morning until late evening, without access to food, water, or rest.
A central issue raised in the suit is the alleged involvement of the FBI. Kumi claims that while in the custody of Ghanaian authorities, he was interrogated by three foreign nationals introduced as FBI agents. He argues that the agents, who he says have no independent policing authority in Ghana, subjected him to coercive questioning and forced him to sign documents he could not read due to limited literacy.
He further alleges that the agents threatened to link him to fraudulent transactions valued at up to $8 million if he refused to disclose passwords to his electronic devices.
“The decision and conduct of officers of the 2nd Respondent in permitting agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to interrogate the Applicant without access to counsel was unlawful and in violation of Articles 14 and 19 of the 1992 Constitution,” portions of the motion state.
While still in custody, Kumi alleges that officers from NACOC and EOCO conducted unauthorised searches of his residence in Swedru, popularly known as “Abu Trica’s Mansion,” in his absence.
According to the application, officers seized several high-value items, including luxury vehicles such as a Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz, and a Cybertruck, alongside electronic devices including multiple iPhones, MacBooks, an Alienware laptop, a PlayStation 5, and a Starlink Wi-Fi modem. He also claims personal items such as Cartier watches, jewellery, and silver chains were confiscated.
Kumi alleges that some of the seized items belonged to friends and that officers failed to provide an inventory or official receipts for the confiscated property.
Additionally, he accuses EOCO of violating his presumption of innocence by publicly describing him as a “notorious cyber-criminal” before any court determination.
Beyond financial compensation, Kumi is seeking several reliefs, including the exclusion of evidence obtained through alleged coercive interrogations, an injunction preventing his extradition or deportation, and an order restraining the FBI from conducting investigations involving him within Ghana.
The case is expected to be heard in February 2026, with legal observers noting that the outcome could set a significant precedent regarding foreign law enforcement involvement in Ghana and the protection of citizens’ rights in cross-border cybercrime investigations.
