Barker-Vormawor criticises Abu Trica's 'one-sided' US-Ghana extradition treaty

Private legal practitioner and Convener of Fix the Country, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, has raised concerns over what he describes as an unequal extradition arrangement between Ghana and the United States, questioning both the legal basis of the ongoing Abu Trica case and the conduct of foreign investigators.

Speaking on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana on March 30, 2026, Barker-Vormawor argued that the current extradition framework creates a one-sided relationship that undermines Ghana’s sovereignty.

He criticised what he called a ‘one-way traffic’ system, claiming Ghana’s requests are often ignored while foreign agents operate freely within its borders.

“My interest has been in terms of the unequal relationship that this extradition treaty establishes and Ghana’s own role in facilitating this one-way traffic, where our requests are ignored but then they run roughshod here, they have FBI agents going into police cells, interrogating people on their own,” he said

Referencing the case involving Abu Trica, he questioned the legality of foreign agents operating within Ghana’s law enforcement system, describing it as a serious sovereignty concern.

According to him, the central issue before the Court of Appeal is whether the offences cited by US authorities fall within the scope of the existing extradition treaty, not the monetary value involved.

Court clears way for Abu Trica's extradition to US

Barker-Vormawor explained that the suspect has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud but argued that conspiracy is not listed as an extraditable offence under the treaty.

“The real case before the court is not even the question of the quantum, conspiracy is not one of those offences,” he stated.

He added that historical legal records dating back to 1899 support his position, noting that conspiracy has consistently not been treated as extraditable, even in US courts.

Baker-Vormawor further pointed to countries such as Malta, which have since renegotiated similar treaties to explicitly include conspiracy, suggesting it was absent in the original agreements.

He criticised proceedings at the Gbese District Court, claiming the magistrate has consistently approved extradition requests without sufficient scrutiny.

On the widely reported $8 million fraud allegation, he questioned the basis of the figure, stating that only about $13,000 was reportedly exchanged in the case involving an undercover Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent.

“How did this 8 million come (when) the addition of the funds they bring is not up to 8 million?” he quizzed.

He also took issue with the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) for publicly labelling the suspect a ‘notorious fraudster,’ arguing that such statements undermine the presumption of innocence.

“Our institutions should not be involved in the process of character assassination of suspects who have not had their day in court yet,” he stressed.

Barker-Vormawor disclosed that legal action has been initiated against the FBI over its alleged involvement in interrogations within Ghana, while the broader challenge to the extradition treaty is expected to be determined by the High Court.

MRA/AE

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