BY GRACE ZIGAH
US-based journalist Larry Miller has pushed back against claims that the judge presiding over Ghanaian socialite Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, has acted suspiciously in his ongoing fraud case in the United States.
Miller said his review of publicly available court documents had revealed nothing unusual or improper about the judge’s handling of the proceedings, challenging suggestions by a prominent Ghanaian figure that something untoward was happening in the case.
The journalist made the remarks during a TikTok Live session with Addi Syter, where he discussed the legal developments surrounding Abu Trica and explained why the delays in the proceedings should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of misconduct. Abu Tric is facing romance scam charges running into $10million.
According to Miller, the available court records did not support the allegations against the judge. He maintained that the time being allowed for the parties to prepare was consistent with the normal procedures followed in complex criminal cases.
“That’s just not the case,” Miller said while responding to the claims. He further explained that the additional time could allow the defence to prepare adequately while giving both sides an opportunity to consider their respective positions, including the possibility of reaching an agreement before a trial begins.
How Abu Trica’s Case Reached the US Courts
Abu Trica, real name is Frederick Kumi, was extradited from Ghana to the United States in July 2026 over allegations relating to a romance fraud scheme.
He faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering before the US District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.
The allegations form the basis of the prosecution’s case against him. However, Abu Trica has pleaded not guilty, meaning the charges remain to be established through the legal process.
Why the Judge Granted More Time
One of the significant developments in the proceedings occurred on July 30, 2026, when Judge John R. Adams granted a motion by the defence to have the case declared complex.The decision allowed additional time for both the prosecution and the defence to prepare their respective cases.
According to the report, Abu Trica’s new legal team also agreed to waive his right to a speedy trial, while prosecutors raised no objection to the arrangement.
Miller argued that these procedural developments should be understood within the context of preparing for a complex case rather than treated as proof that the judge was acting improperly.
He suggested that the additional time could also provide an opportunity for the parties to explore a possible resolution before proceeding to trial.
However, the possibility of an agreement does not establish that negotiations are taking place or that a settlement has been reached.
Allegations Against the Judge Remain Unsubstantiated in Miller’s Review
Miller’s comments came in response to claims by a well-known Ghanaian figure who reportedly suggested that the judge’s conduct in the case was suspicious.
The journalist said he had examined the court documents made publicly available but found nothing to substantiate that allegation.
His position directly challenges the suggestion that the judge’s decisions, particularly those concerning the timetable for the proceedings, point to questionable conduct.
Nevertheless, Miller’s assessment represents his interpretation of the available records. The reported comments do not amount to a formal judicial finding on the allegations, and no evidence of judicial misconduct was identified in the material provided for this report.
The distinction is important because decisions to extend preparation time, particularly in complex criminal proceedings, do not by themselves demonstrate wrongdoing.
Abu Trica to Return to Court on November 3
Abu Trica is expected to return to court for a status conference on November 3, 2026.
