Frederick Kumi, widely known as Abu Trica, was re-arrested on Monday, January 26, shortly after the High Court struck out his certiorari application challenging proceedings at the Gbese District Court.

Abu Trica is facing romance fraud allegations, for which the United States has formally requested his extradition from Ghana.

Extradition proceedings involving Abu Trica and two others had earlier been underway at the Gbese District Court. The State later discontinued the case against the two co-accused.

Following the withdrawal, counsel for Abu Trica argued that since the charge before the court was conspiracy, discontinuing the case against the other accused persons effectively collapsed the charge against their client. The District Court upheld this argument and discharged all three accused persons.

Despite the discharge, Abu Trica returned to the High Court seeking an order of certiorari to quash aspects of the District Court’s proceedings.

At the High Court, the Attorney-General’s office contended that the application had become moot, citing the earlier discontinuation of the prosecution and the applicant’s discharge.

Counsel for Abu Trica, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, countered that despite the withdrawal of charges, his client remained in detention, creating what he described as a disconnect between the law and its practical effect.

Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai assured the court that if Abu Trica remained in custody despite the discontinuation, steps would be taken to secure his immediate release.

The court subsequently struck out the certiorari application, ruling that the matter had become moot following the applicant’s discharge.

However, shortly after the High Court proceedings, Abu Trica was re-arrested by state authorities.