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Tsatsu Tsikata recounts his prosecution and jailing under former President Kufuor's government
via GhanaWeb4 min read
Legal luminary Tsatsu Tsikata recently discussed his prosecution and imprisonment under the government of former President John Agyekum Kufuor, where he was accused of causing financial loss to the state. Speaking at an Honorific Lecture and Award ceremony on April 15, 2026, Tsikata stated that the Kufuor government, including then Attorney General Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, actively sought his conviction. He noted that a Supreme Court decision, by a 5-4 majority, initially declared the Fast Track High Court, established for his prosecution, unconstitutional. Tsikata accused former President Kufuor of appointing two new justices to the Supreme Court to overturn this decision, which subsequently occurred with a 6-5 majority. Following this, Tsikata recounted being arrested at church. New charges were later brought against him in a normal High Court, which were dismissed. However, he was again arraigned before a Fast Track High Court and sentenced to five years in prison in the absence of his lawyer. Tsikata's legal issues originated from his time as Chief Executive of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation GNPC, where he was convicted in 2008 for approving a loan guarantee that led to financial loss. He served part of his sentence before receiving a presidential pardon in 2009 from former President John Evans Atta Mills. In 2010, the Supreme Court of Ghana overturned his conviction, citing flaws in the trial process and a miscarriage of justice.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.
The US Department of Justice has released a statement regarding the extradition of Frederick Kumi, also known as Abu Trica, from Ghana. Kumi faces charges related to an alleged $8 million romance scam targeting over 80 elderly American victims. The statement outlines the charges, potential prison sentence, and seized assets, which include a mansion, a Lamborghini, a Tesla Cybertruck, a Mercedes Benz, and a BMW. Kumi, 31, was arrested in Ghana on December 11, 2025, and extradited to the United States on July 9. Court documents allege that from April 2023 to November 2025, Kumi and co-defendant Daniel Yussif led a criminal network that used online dating sites and social media to target victims, often widows or divorcees. Kumi allegedly employed AI-driven video platforms and leveraged Ghanaian associates to maintain false identities. Victims reportedly sent money via wire transfer, with portions laundered through money mules and contacts in the Ghanaian immigrant community in the U.S. Kumi is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy, facing up to 20 years imprisonment if convicted. The investigation was conducted by the FBI Cleveland Division, with cooperation from several Ghanaian and U.S. agencies.
Abdul-Wahab Hanan Aludiba, former Chief Executive Officer of the National Food Buffer Stock Company NAFCO, has accused the Bureau of National Investigations BNI and the Economic and Organised Crime Office EOCO of disregarding a High Court order. Aludiba states the High Court in Accra permitted him to travel abroad for medical treatment. He alleges that despite this order, he was arrested at Accra International Airport, preventing him from boarding his flight. He further claims EOCO and the Attorney General's Office unlawfully retained approximately 拢7,000, two mobile phones, and his passport after his release. Aludiba asserts the 拢7,000 was borrowed for his travel and medical treatment in the United Kingdom. He also alleges that officials accessed information on his mobile phones without judicial authorization while the devices were in BNI and EOCO custody on July 6 and July 7, 2026. Aludiba is asking the High Court to compel the Attorney General, EOCO, and BNI to comply with its June 29, 2026 order by releasing his passport, the 拢7,000, and the two mobile phones. He describes his arrest as unlawful and contemptuous, stating the Attorney General's application to revoke his travel permission is based on false allegations. The Attorney General is seeking to revoke the court's permission, alleging Aludiba attempted to use fraudulent means to withdraw funds from a frozen Republic Bank account, an allegation Aludiba denies.
Must ReadAdeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who claimed to be the director general of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council PFIPC, has been arrested in Osun State, Nigeria. His arrest follows a warrant issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja after he failed to appear for charges of forgery and impersonation. The case emerged after President Bola Tinubu ordered a corruption investigation into the fictitious agency. Police confirmed the involvement of their Force Intelligence Department and Intelligence Response Team in the arrest. The presidency stated that an official-looking letter establishing the agency was fake, and forensic analysis confirmed the forgery of the signature of the president's chief of staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, on the appointment letter. Adeyemi had previously maintained his innocence in media interviews and cited safety fears for his absence in court. Court documents indicate Adeyemi and two others are accused of using forged documents to establish and operate the council, open bank accounts, and seek official recognition for the non-existent agency. Although the PFIPC had secured office space and appeared in the 2026 Appropriation Act with an allocation of 1.3 billion naira, the Accountant-General's Office confirmed it never operated an account with the Central Bank of Nigeria or received public funds.