Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has questioned the speed at which Ghana extradited social media influencer Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, to the United States to face charges related to an alleged $8 million romance scam targeting elderly Americans.
Speaking during TV3's Key Points segment on the extradition, shared on X on July 11, 2026, Kpebu questioned why the government appeared to have acted with such urgency.
“When you see such inordinate rush, it means that there's something we need critically from the US.
“The first thing we should know is that Ghana may need a loan. Have you heard about rendition? It is a cousin to extradition,” Kpebu stated.
Kpebu further highlighted the controversial practice of rendition, describing it as a “cousin to extradition.”
Ghanaian socialite Abu Trica extradited to US
According to him, when extradition becomes complicated, US authorities have historically resorted to rendition, which involves the transfer of individuals without the formal extradition process.
“America has rendered many people from Afghanistan, Syria, and elsewhere. When the US finds it suitable to their national interest, they will just render you. They don’t care about extradition when their national interest is involved,” he noted.
He added that efforts to amend charges and address procedural concerns could sometimes be used as a strategy to delay the return of individuals wanted by authorities.
“As long as rendition exists, if they were to render Ofori-Atta to Ghana, everybody would be happy because why is the man hiding behind lobbies to delay? Your charges have issues, yes, but it can also be used as a ploy to delay his coming,” he argued.
20-Year Prison Risk, September Trial: Details emerge in socialite Abu Trica's US case
Abu Trica faces charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, which carry potential sentences of up to 20 years if convicted.
A video circulating on social media showed him being escorted at an airport before reportedly boarding a Delta Airlines flight accompanied by US authorities on July 9, 2026.
Watch his comments below:
Extradition of Abu Trica: When there is an inordinate rush, it means the government of Ghana is seeking something from the American government.
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) July 11, 2026
- Martin Kpebu, Private Legal Practitioner, calls on the US government to 'render' the former finance minister #TheKeyPoints #TV3GH pic.twitter.com/R48KAE82Mq
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