Abu Trica files GHC10million lawsuit over unlawful arrest and detention

Frederick Kumi, widely known as social media personality Abu Trica, has initiated a GH¢10 million lawsuit against state investigative bodies and the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The suit, filed at the Human Rights Division of the High Court, names the Minister of the Interior, the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), the Attorney-General, and the FBI as defendants.

This legal action stems from Kumi’s arrest in December 2025, his subsequent detention, and the nature of his interrogation. In his application for the enforcement of his fundamental human rights under Article 33 of the 1992 Constitution, the applicant claims his constitutional rights were violated.

Through his lawyers, Kumi alleges he was subjected to prolonged detention and questioning without access to legal representation, food, or water. He further contends that his properties were seized and he was compelled to disclose passwords under an “intimidating coercive environment.”

The suit also challenges public statements by EOCO that described him as a “notorious cyber-criminal,” arguing that this portrayal prejudiced his right to be presumed innocent ahead of any conviction by a competent court.

Among the reliefs sought, Kumi is asking the court to declare his treatment a breach of his rights to personal liberty, human dignity, and a fair trial. He is also seeking an order to exclude any information retrieved from him during the interrogation from being used in any future criminal, extradition, or administrative proceedings.

Additionally, the applicant has requested an interlocutory injunction to prevent the defendants from removing him from Ghana’s jurisdiction until the legality of his arrest and detention is fully determined by the court.

The case highlights ongoing debates regarding investigative protocols and the protection of suspects’ rights during complex, multi-agency operations.