Abu Trica seeks to introduce new evidence in US extradition battle - Lawyer

Hackman Kofi Essel, lawyer of embattled Ghanaian socialite Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, has explained why he and his legal team appeared before the Accra High Court as they continue efforts to challenge a court order approving his extradition to the United States.

Speaking in an interview with The1957News on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, Essel said the team is seeking leave from the court to file a supplementary affidavit following developments that emerged after Abu Trica was granted bail.

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He explained that the application forms part of efforts to overturn the committal order issued by the Gbese District Court in relation to the US extradition request.

Essel added that several legal actions connected to the matter are currently before the courts, including a human rights case and an earlier habeas corpus application filed while his client was in custody.

“The Gbese Court has given its committal order, and then we are seeking to quash it by certiorari, so, it's pending before the court and then we have a human rights matter pending at the Human Rights Court, as well as, when he was in custody, we filed a habeas corpus,” he said.

Essel added that developments after his client's release on bail made it necessary to place additional information before the court.

“So, now that he's out, there are new facts that have come up, in which the High Court being a court of record, we are seeking to bring those facts by way of a supplementary affidavit for the court to determine the matter based on evidence, and then the facts, and the circumstances around our application,” he stated.

He further disclosed that the prosecution requested a shorter timeline for hearing the motion, a request that was granted by the court.

“So, we sought leave today by a motion but then the Republic sought to abridge time, and the court heeded them. So, we moved the motion today, and we are coming back on the 11th of June for a ruling on it…either they will grant us leave to file a supplementary to bring the facts before the court or follow due process, and then the rule of law,” he disclosed.

Essel stressed that the legal process should be guided by evidence and due process rather than a straightforward execution of an extradition order.

“Everything should be determined on evidence, and the facts, and the circumstances, and then it should be by due process, it should be heard,” he said.

“It can't be that it's a tradition, so when a district court just give committee, it should be bundled and taken away, no, it has every right as a Ghanaian citizen… let me leave it to the judge to determine, so we'll come back,” he added.

Abu Trica slams FBI after court grants him GH¢30 million bail

Abu Trica was granted bail of GH¢30 million and is currently out of custody as he faces extradition proceedings over his alleged involvement in an $8 million romance scam.

Lawyer for embattled Ghanaian socialite Abu Trica, Hackman Kofi Essel, has explained the reason behind their appearance before the Accra High Court.

According to him, they filed a motion for a supplementary affidavit as part of ongoing efforts to quash the US extradition request… pic.twitter.com/j8GLaBmxfT

— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) June 2, 2026

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