Abu Trica demands GH¢10M compensation for inhumane treatment 

Fredrick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, has filed a suit at the Human Rights Division of the High Court in Accra, accusing five state and foreign entities of violating his fundamental human rights during his arrest and detention.

The application, brought under Article 33(1) of the 1992 Constitution and Order 67 of the High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, seeks the enforcement of Mr. Kumi’s rights as guaranteed under Chapter Five of the Constitution.

The respondents named in the suit are the Minister for the Interior, the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), and the Attorney-General.

According to court documents, Mr. Kumi alleges that he was arrested on December 11, 2025, and subjected to prolonged detention from morning until late evening while continuously restrained in handcuffs.

He claims he was denied food, water, rest, and other basic necessities, and was exposed to physical and psychological distress.

He is, therefore, asking the court to declare that his treatment constituted torture and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment in violation of Article 15 of the Constitution.

The applicant further contends that he was interrogated while in handcuffs, surrounded by armed officers, and allegedly threatened and intimidated, all without access to a lawyer of his choice.

He argues that these actions violated his constitutional rights to dignity, legal representation, and a fair trial as guaranteed under Articles 15 and 19 of the Constitution.

Mr. Kumi also claims that officers of NACOC, EOCO, and the Attorney-General’s office detained, interrogated, and arraigned him before a court without first granting him access to counsel, an action he says fundamentally undermined his right to a fair trial.

A major aspect of the suit relates to the alleged involvement of agents of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Mr. Kumi asserts that FBI agents, described in the suit as foreign law enforcement personnel, directly interrogated him while he was in custody and without the presence of his lawyer.

He argues that the FBI has no independent powers of arrest, detention, or interrogation within Ghana, and that any such actions taken by its agents were unlawful, ultra vires, and unconstitutional.

He is consequently seeking a declaration restraining the FBI and its agents from exercising any investigative or interrogation powers over him within Ghana.

The applicant is also challenging the legality of a search conducted at his residence, known as “Abu Trica’s Mansion,” located at CP-0969-1943, Swedru.

He alleges that the search was carried out while he was already in custody and without giving him the opportunity to be present or represented, an act he says violated his rights to privacy, property, and fair administrative process under Articles 18 and 23 of the Constitution.

Additionally, Mr. Kumi is protesting the alleged recording of him while in custody and the subsequent circulation of the footage on social media.

He argues that the recording and publication violated his rights to dignity, privacy, and reputation.

He is also taking issue with a news release allegedly issued by EOCO describing him as a “notorious cyber-criminal” prior to any judicial determination of guilt.

According to him, this publication violated his constitutional right to the presumption of innocence.

Among the reliefs being sought, the applicant is asking the court to exclude and render inadmissible any evidence obtained from the search of his residence, as well as any statements, passwords, electronic data, or information allegedly obtained from him during custodial interrogation without legal counsel or under coercive conditions.

Mr. Kumi is further seeking an interlocutory injunction to restrain the respondents from extraditing, deporting, or otherwise removing him from Ghana pending the final determination.