By Joyce Danso, GNA
Accra, Dec. 24, GNA – The Gbese District Court has remanded Frederick Kumi, also known as Abu Trica, and two accomplices over an alleged $8 million romance scam in the United States of America.
Kumi, also known as Emmanuel Kojo Baah, together with Lord Eshun and Bernard Aidoo, was remanded after the court refused their bail application.
Counsel for Eshun and Aidoo argued that the extradition warrant mentioned only Kumi and not their clients, and therefore they should be discharged.
They further contended that the two had not been charged with any offence.
Presiding Judge Mrs Anna Gottfried Akosua Appiah Anafi Gyasi, in her ruling, said she was not convinced that Eshun and Aidoo would appear to stand trial if granted bail.
“In this situation, looking at the popularity of the case and the arrest made, I am not convinced that the accused persons will appear to stand trial, at least not this time.
“The application is refused. The suit is hereby adjourned to January 13, 2025,” she stated.
The court directed the Ministry of the Interior to provide further details of the extradition warrant in respect of Eshun and Aidoo within five weeks.
Earlier, Mr Oliver Barker Vormewor, counsel for Kumi, raised a preliminary objection to the jurisdiction of the District Court to entertain legal objections.
Defence counsel argued that such matters should be heard by the Circuit Court or the High Court.
Mr Robert Ishmael Aggrey‑Fynn Amissah, counsel for Eshun, told the court that the warrant did not name his client.
“The warrant that occasioned Eshun being brought before this court does not name the second accused (Eshun). This court cannot validate an improper execution of this warrant.
“The gravaments of our application is the identity of Eshun which we are saying is in doubt. In the absence of a clear, and unambiguous identification of the accused fugitive, doubts should be construed in favour of second accused person (Eshun),” he said.
Defence counsel maintained that Eshun was not a flight risk, his addresses could be verified, and he would not interfere with investigations.
Mr Ernest Appiah, Assistant State Attorney, opposed the objections, describing them as misplaced and premature.
He said the law gave the District Court exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine extraditions.
Mr Appiah also opposed bail, stating that the Constitution guaranteed pretrial detention and that granting bail was at the discretion of the court.
He argued that given the international dimension of the case, there had been no unreasonable delay, and the accused might not appear to stand trial if granted bail.
Earlier, the court ordered masked security personnel who escorted the accused to step out after defence counsel raised concerns about their presence.
Kumi and his accomplices were brought to court under heavy security on charges of conspiracy to commit crime, namely defrauding by false pretences, and conspiracy to commit crime, namely money laundering.
Kumi has been indicted by United States authorities and arrested in Ghana for allegedly defrauding elderly victims of over $8 million.
Some sympathisers and relatives gathered at the court, with some cheering the accused persons.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey