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Claim: A TikTok video claimed that Frederick Kumi (Abu Trica), a Ghanaian socialite and businessman, has been granted bail.
Verdict: False! The video attached to the claim is unrelated to Abu Trica. It shows Ghanaians who were evacuated from South Africa amid xenophobic attacks. It was also used previously to support a false claim that NPP figure Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, had been granted bail.
Full Text
Frederick Kumi, popularly known as “Abu Trica,” was arrested in Ghana on Dec. 11, 2025, following a U.S. extradition request over allegations of his involvement in an international romance-fraud scheme targeting elderly Americans.
U.S. prosecutors alleged that the network defrauded more than 80 victims of over US$8 million, with Kumi allegedly using AI-driven video platforms and fictitious female identities to communicate with victims.
He subsequently faced extradition proceedings in Ghana.
In April 2026, the Accra High Court granted Kumi GH¢30 million bail with two sureties, which he later satisfied, but the extradition proceedings continued.
On Jul. 2, 2026, the court ordered his extradition to the United States, which was carried out on Jul. 9, 2026.
Following his extradition, Ghost Blogga, a TikTok user, claimed on July 24, 2026 (archived here) that Abu Trica had been granted bail. He wrote, “Congratulations, AbuTrica has been granted bail successfully today as Ghanaians celebrate. God is great.”
As of Aug. 13, 2026, the video had attracted over 311,000 views, more than 22,000 likes, 183 comments, 1,366 saves, and 521 reshares.
A similar claim (archived here), published by OHIANI Blogger on Jul. 23, 2026, had recorded about 43,000 views, 3,013 likes, 74 comments, 478 saves, and 43 reshares as of Aug. 13, 2026.
The posts generated mixed reactions from TikTok users, with some questioning the claim’s authenticity. Some users identified the footage as unrelated to Abu Trica.
One user, @Ava, commented, “So to those who don’t know, the video at the top is when Mahama was going for Ghanaians in SA.” Another user, @Akosua, described the post as fake, while @Mark-Kojo asked whether Abu Trica had indeed been granted bail.
However, other users appeared to believe the claim and expressed excitement over his alleged release. @Ohene Kinaata wrote, “We give thanks to God.” @Billionairewifegh commented, “Take all the glory, Lord,” while @ETORNAM wrote, “He’ll come back to Ghana peacefully.”
DUBAWA investigated the claim because of public interest in Abu Trica’s legal case and the risk that false reports about his release could mislead social media users.
Verification
DUBAWA examined both TikTok posts, paying attention to the captions as well as the videos and images used to support the claims.
The Ghost Blogga’s post includes footage of Ghanaians returning from South Africa, along with a collage featuring Abu Trica with white powder covering parts of his face and clothing.
Keyword searches and reverse image searches of the images led to reports published in May 2026 about his release after he satisfied the GH¢30 million bail conditions granted by the Accra High Court.
The images used in the July 24 post were taken from Abu Trica’s earlier release and recycled to support the new claim that he had been granted bail in July. One of the videos showed him covered in powder as he consoled his crying son after being reunited on May 15, 2026.
DUBAWA also examined the video attached to the post. The footage does not show Abu Trica, his known family members, close associates, or supporters celebrating his alleged release. Instead, it shows Ghanaians returning from South Africa following a wave of xenophobic attacks that prompted the Ghanaian government to organise evacuation exercises.
The same footage was previously used in a false TikTok claim that Chairman Wontumi had been granted bail and that Ghanaians were celebrating his release.
DUBAWA’s fact-check established that the people in the footage were Ghanaian returnees from South Africa and not supporters celebrating Wontumi’s release.
The OHIANI Blogger contained footage of an aircraft bearing the inscription “American” taking off, images of Abu Trica and visuals depicting what appears to be a courtroom proceeding.
The two accounts also used similar wording, with both claiming that Abu Trica had been granted bail “today,” even though they were published on different dates.
DUBAWA found no credible media reports or official statements from either the U.S. Department of Justice or Ghanaian authorities confirming that Kumi had been granted bail on either July 23 or 24, 2026.
As of Aug. 13, 2026, Ghana’s Ministry of Justice and Attorney-General’s Department is yet to respond to DUBAWA’s enquiries made on August 11, 2026 over the status of Abu Trica’s case.
Therefore, the earlier GH¢30 million bail granted in Ghana cannot be used as evidence that Abu Trica has been granted new bail on July 23 or 24, 2026.
Conclusion
Although Abu Trica had previously been granted bail during his extradition proceedings, he was subsequently extradited to the United States on July 9, 2026, as confirmed by the U.S. Department of Justice. The footage attached to the TikTok claim is unrelated. Therefore, the claim is false.
This report was produced under the 2026 Kwame Karikari Fact-checking and OSINT Fellowship, co-hosted by DUBAWA and the Digital Technology, Artificial Intelligence, and Information Disorder Analysis Centre (DAIDAC), with support from the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID).
