Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has disclosed that discussions surrounding the extradition of Ghanaian socialite Abu Trica were less about preventing the process and more about determining the most strategic time for it to take place.
Speaking in an interview, Kpebu said there was a general expectation that Abu Trica would eventually be extradited. However, he explained that some believed it would have been in Ghana’s interest for the process to coincide with the return of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.
According to Kpebu, the preferred scenario was for both developments to occur simultaneously, allowing Ghana to hand over Abu Trica while receiving Ofori-Atta.
“We all knew that someday, somehow, it was possible that Abu Trica would be extradited, but we were hoping to delay it as much as possible until Ken Ofori-Atta was also brought back,” he said.
He further explained that the thinking was to synchronise the two processes.
“Until Ken Ofori-Atta is also brought, or we do an exchange. At the time we are handing over Abu Trica, we are also receiving Ofori-Atta,” Kpebu stated.
Focus Was on Timing, Not Opposition
Kpebu stressed that there was no objection to Abu Trica’s extradition itself. Rather, he said the concern centred on the timing of the move and whether it could be aligned with efforts to secure Ofori-Atta’s return to Ghana.
“So as for extradition, it wasn’t a problem,” he added, indicating that the proposal was aimed at ensuring both developments occurred together.
Strategic Consideration
Kpebu’s comments suggest that the idea of delaying Abu Trica’s extradition was viewed by some as a strategic approach rather than an attempt to block the legal process. In his view, coordinating the extradition with Ofori-Atta’s return would have better served Ghana’s interests.
His remarks come amid ongoing public discussion about extradition proceedings involving Abu Trica and separate efforts by Ghanaian authorities regarding former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.
