Frederick Kumi, a 27-year-old Ghanaian popularly known as Abu Trica, has filed a human rights action at the High Court in Accra, accusing state authorities and foreign law enforcement agents of subjecting him to torture, unlawful detention, and serious violations of his constitutional rights.
The application, filed at the Human Rights Division of the High Court, seeks GH₵10 million in damages for what Kumi describes as a series of unlawful acts following his arrest in December 2025.
Named as respondents in the suit are the Minister for the Interior, the Attorney-General, the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), and the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Arrest at Airport Residential Area
According to the motion and accompanying affidavit, Kumi was arrested on 11 December 2025 at his apartment in Airport Residential Area, Accra. He claims that a large number of armed officers entered the premises while he was indoors with friends and immediately placed him in handcuffs.
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Kumi alleges that he remained restrained for several hours and was denied basic necessities, including food and water, throughout the day. He maintains that the manner of his arrest and detention violated his right to personal liberty and human dignity as guaranteed under the 1992 Constitution.
Role of Foreign Agents Questioned
A major issue raised in the application concerns the alleged involvement of FBI agents in his interrogation while he was in the custody of Ghanaian authorities.
Kumi claims that three foreign nationals introduced as FBI agents interrogated him without the presence of a lawyer. He alleges that he was pressured to provide passwords to his electronic devices and made to sign documents he could not properly understand.
The applicant argues that the participation of foreign agents in his interrogation, without any lawful basis or judicial authorisation, was unconstitutional. He further contends that Ghanaian officers acted unlawfully by allowing the interrogation to proceed in the absence of counsel.
Searches and Seizures in Swedru
While he remained in custody, Kumi alleges that officers from NACOC and EOCO carried out searches at his residence in Swedru without his presence.
He claims several items were seized during the operation, including luxury vehicles, electronic devices, and personal effects. According to him, some of the items did not belong to him but to friends who had no connection to the investigation.
Kumi further alleges that no inventory was provided for the items taken and that the searches were conducted without proper legal authorisation.
Complaint Over Public Statements
The applicant also takes issue with public statements attributed to EOCO, in which he was allegedly described as a “notorious cyber-criminal” before any trial or conviction.
He argues that such statements undermine the constitutional presumption of innocence and amount to trial by public commentary.
Orders Sought from the Court
In addition to monetary compensation, Kumi is asking the High Court to grant several orders aimed at protecting his rights. These include an order barring the use of any evidence obtained through the alleged unlawful interrogations and searches, as well as an injunction restraining the State from extraditing or deporting him while the case remains pending.
He is also seeking an order to restrain the FBI and its agents from exercising investigative or interrogation powers over him within Ghana.
Case to Be Heard in February
The matter is expected to be moved at the Human Rights Division of the High Court in February 2026.
The case could test the limits of cooperation between Ghanaian authorities and foreign law enforcement agencies, particularly in cybercrime investigations, and clarify the safeguards that must be observed when suspects are arrested and questioned.
