The Gbese District Court has fixed Wednesday, March 25, to deliver its ruling on a preliminary objection raised in the extradition case involving Frederick Kumi, popularly known as “Abu Trica.”

The case arises from a formal request by authorities in the United States seeking his extradition to face charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Lawyers for Abu Trica, led by Oliver Barker Vormawor, have challenged the legal foundation of the extradition process, arguing that the offences cited are not covered under the 1931 extradition treaty between Ghana and the United States.

According to the defence, the treaty does not explicitly list wire fraud or money laundering as extraditable offences, and the provisions relating to conspiracy apply only to specific categories that do not extend to the current charges.

They further maintained that Ghana cannot rely on subsequent domestic laws to broaden the scope of the treaty, insisting that any extradition must strictly comply with the terms originally agreed between the two countries.

Meanwhile, the court proceedings drew heightened public attention as a group of youth from Swedru gathered at the court premises, calling for Abu Trica’s release.