Officials of the Narcotics Control Commission have rearrested Frederick Kumi also known as Abu Trica, a suspect of wire fraud and romance scam in the U.S after he was discharged on Monday morning by the court.
Early on Monday, January 26, the Gbese District Court discharged Abu Trica and two alleged accomplices Lord Eshun and Bernard Aidoo after the State withdrew the charges against them.
They had pleaded not guilty to defrauding by false pretense and money laundering.
At the High Court, Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem Sai informed the court that prosecution had filed a notice of withdrawal against Abu Trica, Lord Eshun and Bernard Aidoo and hence noted that the applications by the applicants had become moot.
Lawyers of Abu Trica and Bernard Aidoo had filed separate applications for their discharge pending the case before the Gbese District Court.
“The Attorney General has made an application that the process before the court has become moot.
“The applicant continues to be held by the Republic and we think that the issues that arise and which are the subject of the application before this court have a high probability of reoccurring and for which reason, for the jurisprudence of our court we submit that the matter is not moot,” Oliver Barker Vormawor noted.
“The prayer is unfounded and has no basis in law or in fact. The application before my Lady is based on a set of clear facts.
“The facts have completely changed. There is no law which says that an application for certiorari be granted on a matter which has become completely moot.
“We therefore pray my lady to allow the natural consequence of the termination of prosecution to flow,” the Deputy AG submitted.
After hearing both counsel, the presiding judge struck out the application.
Abu Trica was however rearrested by officials of the Narcotics Control Commission on the corridors of the High Court after proceedings ended and he was interacting with his lawyers and family.
By Laud Adu-Asare
