US court gives Abu Trica’s lawyers access to sealed trial documents

A United States federal court has cleared the way for lawyers of Ghanaian socialite Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, to access sealed materials in the criminal case against him.

The order was issued by Judge John R. Adams of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio ahead of Abu Trica’s scheduled trial in September 2026.

The sealed materials include search warrants, supporting affidavits, applications and warrant returns connected to the case.

Abu Trica, 31, and another Ghanaian, Daniel Yussif, also known as Denteni or Slab, have been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Both have pleaded not guilty.

Abu Trica was extradited from Ghana to the United States on July 9 to face trial over an alleged $8 million romance scam.

If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison on each count.

The court’s latest order allows the defence team to review the sealed discovery materials but places strict limits on how the documents may be used.

Under the protective order, the materials may only be used for proceedings connected to the case, including pretrial, trial, appeal and any collateral proceedings.

“Discovery Material shall be used solely for the purpose of conducting pretrial, trial, appellate, and collateral proceedings in this action and for no other purpose whatsoever,” the court directed.

The court also barred the defence from disclosing the documents or their contents to anyone outside the approved defence team, including the media.

“In no event will a Defense Team disclose, directly or indirectly, Discovery Material or the substance thereof to anyone, including the media, excepting any disclosures that may occur during public proceedings at a hearing, trial, or appeal in connection with this matter,” the order stated.

Before receiving or reviewing the materials, each defendant and lawyer on record must sign an acknowledgement.

Any additional defence team member who will handle the documents must also sign the required acknowledgement and either provide it to the US government or file it under seal with the court.

The court said if there is reason to believe the protective order has been violated, it may open a sealed acknowledgement and disclose it to the appropriate investigating authority.

Meanwhile, an arrest warrant dated November 20, 2025, has emerged, showing that Abu Trica had been indicted for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy.

Abu Trica and Yussif are currently in detention awaiting further proceedings.

Their pretrial hearing is scheduled for August 26, while jury trial is expected to begin on September 8, 2026.

US court documents allege that Abu Trica and Yussif led a group that used online dating sites and social media to target victims, many of whom were widows or divorcees.

Prosecutors allege that victims were deceived with false stories involving gold or diamond inheritances and were persuaded to send money by wire transfer into accounts controlled by members of the alleged conspiracy.

Authorities further allege that portions of the funds were sent to co-conspirators in Ghana and elsewhere.

The prosecution claims the network used money mules in Ghana and contacts within the Ghanaian immigrant community in the United States to launder millions of dollars through fake businesses and bank accounts.

The allegations remain unproven, and both accused persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.