Oliver Barker-Vormawor, lawyer for Ghanaian socialite, Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, has argued that his client should be allowed to pursue his appeal against an extradition order, regardless of the allegations against him.

According to him, the issue before the High Court on July 9, 2026, is not whether Abu Trica is a good or bad person, but whether he should be allowed to exercise his constitutional right to appeal before any extradition process is carried out.

Court dismisses Abu Trica's emergency application to halt US extradition

Barker-Vormawor said denying Abu Trica the opportunity to challenge the decision would raise concerns about the rights of other Ghanaians who may find themselves in similar situations.

“On July 9, the only issue before the High Court is whether, considering that Abu Trica has filed an appeal, he should be allowed to stay in Ghana so that his appeal can be heard? Or he should be taken away to prevent him from pursuing the appeal, even though he has a constitutional right of appeal,” he wrote on X on July 6, 2026.

He stressed that the case should not be judged based on Abu Trica’s personality or public perception, but on the principle of allowing people access to the legal process.

“It’s not about whether Abu Trica is an angel or whether he is a good person. No. It’s about whether any Ghanaian in a similar situation should be able to pursue an appeal,” he added.

The lawyer further argued that the right to appeal should apply to everyone, even those facing serious allegations.

“I don’t know about you, but for me, even if he is the devil, is there a reason why he shouldn’t be allowed to appeal a decision?” Barker-Vormawor questioned.

He added that the quality of the judge who made the earlier decision should not be a reason to prevent someone from seeking a review through the appeal process.

“The judge may be the most perfect judge in the world, but does that mean he should be prevented from pursuing an appeal?” he asked.

Barker-Vormawor also dismissed suggestions that the matter was linked to any political agenda, saying the main concern was the protection of legal rights.

“At this point, I don’t care whether Ghana is interested in bringing down Ofori-Atta. I don’t believe we are,” he indicated.

Comparing the situation to what would happen in other countries, he argued that citizens should be allowed to exhaust their legal options before being removed from a jurisdiction.

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“But imagine this was America, why on earth would they prevent their own citizen from pursuing their right of appeal?” he concluded.

Meanwhile, the High Court on July 6, 2026, dismissed an emergency application filed by Abu Trica to halt his extradition to the US.

On July 9, the only issue before the High Court is whether, considering that Abu Trica has filed an appeal. Should he be allowed to stay in Ghana so that his appeal can be heard?

Or should he be taken away to prevent him from pursuing the appeal. Even though he has a…

— Osagyefo Oliver Barker-Vormawor (@barkervogues) July 6, 2026