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 for alleged cyber fraud.
In a motion filed at the Human Rights Division of the High Court in Accra, Kumi is seeking GH₵10 million in compensation for what he describes as a coordinated campaign of “cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment” after his arrest on December 11, 2025.
The suit names the Minister for the Interior, the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), the FBI, and the Attorney-General as respondents.
According to court documents, Kumi alleges that his arrest was carried out violently, with over 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 claim in the suit concerns the involvement of the FBI. Kumi alleges that while in the custody of Ghanaian authorities, he was interrogated by three foreign nationals introduced as FBI agents. He insists the agents, who he argues have no independent police powers in Ghana, subjected him to coercive questioning and forced him to sign documents he could not read due to limited literacy.
He further claims the agents threatened to link him to fraudulent transactions amounting to 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,” the motion states.
While Kumi remained in custody, he alleges that officers from NACOC and EOCO conducted unauthorised searches of his residence in Swedru, popularly referred to as “Abu Trica’s Mansion,” in his absence.
According to the application, officers seized several high-value items, including:
Vehicles: A Lamborghini, a Mercedes-Benz, and a Cybertruck
Electronics: Multiple iPhones (models 7 to 15 Pro), MacBooks, an Alienware laptop, a PlayStation 5, and a Starlink Wi-Fi modem
Personal Effects: Cartier watches, jewellery, and silver chains
Kumi claims some of the seized items belonged to his friends and alleges that officers failed to provide an inventory or official receipts for the confiscated property.
He also accuses EOCO of violating his presumption of innocence by publicly describing him as a “notorious cyber-criminal” in an official statement prior to any court determination.
In addition to the GH₵10 million compensation, Kumi is asking the court to grant several orders, including:
Exclusion of evidence obtained through alleged coercive interrogations and unauthorised searches
An interlocutory injunction restraining the State from extraditing or deporting him pending the final determination of the case
An order restraining the FBI and its agents from conducting investigations or interrogations involving him within Ghana
The case is expected to be heard at the Human Rights Division of the High Court in February 2026. Observers say the outcome could set an important precedent on the limits of foreign law enforcement involvement in Ghana and the protection of citizens’ rights during cross-border cybercrime investigations.
