Private legal practitioner Amanda Clinton has expressed concern over the rapid extradition of Ghanaian national Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, to the United States, describing the process as rushed. Speaking on Citi Eyewitness News on Thursday, July 9, Ms. Clinton noted that she had expected Abu Trica’s lawyers to be granted more time to contest the High Court’s ruling before his removal from Ghana.
“I was quite surprised. I thought his lawyers would have at least 15 days to make the application, so I was extremely surprised,” she remarked. She explained that Ghana’s extradition law requires additional steps following a court’s approval of an extradition request, including ministerial involvement and the issuance of warrants. In her view, these procedures did not appear to have been fully observed before Abu Trica was flown out.
“I think Act 22 provides for, even after the extradition has been granted by the High Court, ministerial involvement, warrants, committal, a 15-day warrant, which didn’t happen,” she stated. The lawyer also questioned why Abu Trica was extradited barely a week after the court’s ruling on July 2.
She said reports indicated that his lawyer had gone to the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) on Wednesday to see him but was asked to return the following day. “On his way to work this morning, he found out that his client was actually in the air on a Delta flight to the States,” she said. Ms Clinton maintained that the speed of the extradition had generated public concern.
“I do think it was incredibly rushed. I think the feedback from Facebook and different social media is that Ghana has sold itself. What is this knee-jerk reaction? Why couldn’t you wait 15 days? I think Ghanaians are disappointed,” she added. Abu Trica was extradited to the United States on Thursday, July 9, after the High Court in Accra granted a request by US authorities for his surrender. He is expected to face prosecution over allegations of involvement in an $8 million romance fraud scheme.
Source: Abigail Arthur
