A 27-year-old Ghanaian citizen, Frederick Kumi (Abu Trica), arrested for allegedly engaging in cyber fraud, has dragged the government of Ghana and the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to the High Court, alleging a harrowing ordeal of torture, unlawful detention, and a blatant disregard for his fundamental human rights.
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” following his arrest on 11th December 2025.
The lawsuit names the Minister for Interior, the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), the FBI, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), and the Attorney-General as respondents.
Abu Trica alleges that his arrest and subsequent detention were marked by physical violence, coercive interrogations by foreign agents, and the systematic looting of his personal property.
Handcuffed, starved, and interrogated by foreign agents
According to the court documents, lawyers of Abu Trica claim that over 15 armed officers stormed his apartment in the Airport Residential Area while he was playing video games with friends.
Abu Trica claims he was immediately handcuffed and remained restrained from morning until late evening without access to food, water, or rest.
The most striking allegation involves the 3rd Respondent, the FBI.
Kumi asserts that while in the custody of Ghanaian authorities, he was subjected to a coercive interrogation by three foreign nationals introduced as FBI agents.
He claims these agents, who possess no independent police powers in Ghana, forced him to sign documents he could not read due to limited literacy and threatened to link him to fraudulent transactions worth up to $8 million if he did not disclose his phone passwords.
“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.
‘Abu Trica Mansion’ raided in absence of owner
While Kumi remained in custody, he alleges that officers from NACOC and EOCO conducted unauthorised searches of his residence, known as “Abu Trica’s Mansion,” in Swedru.
The applicant claims the officers seized a staggering array of luxury items and electronics, including:
- Vehicles: A Lamborghini, a Mercedes, and a Cybertruck.
- Electronics: Numerous iPhones (ranging from models 7 to 15 Pro), MacBooks, an Alienware laptop, a PlayStation 5 console, and a Starlink Wi-Fi modem.
- Personal Effects: Cartier watches, jewellery, and silver chains.
Kumi further alleges that many of the seized items belonged to his friends and that the officers failed to provide an inventory or receipt for the confiscated property.
He also accuses EOCO of violating his presumption of innocence by labelling him a “notorious cyber-criminal” in an official news release before any judicial determination of guilt.
Demands for justice and an end to foreign interference
In addition to the GH₵10 million compensation, Kumi is praying the court for several critical orders:
- Exclusion of Evidence: An order rendering any information or items obtained during the “coercive” interrogations and “unauthorised” searches inadmissible in any future proceedings.
- Interlocutory Injunction: A restraining order to prevent the State from extraditing or deporting him to any foreign state pending the final determination of the suit.
- Restraint of the FBI: A specific order restraining the FBI and its agents from exercising any investigative or interrogation powers over him within Ghanaian territory.
The case is expected to be moved in the Human Rights High Court in February 2026.
The outcome could set a significant precedent regarding the extent to which foreign law enforcement agencies can operate within Ghana and the protections afforded to citizens during high-profile cyber-crime investigations.
