A United States court has granted lawyers representing Ghanaian extradition suspect Abu Trica access to sealed evidence gathered by investigators ahead of his trial in September, marking a significant development in the case.

The court ruled that the defence team may review confidential documents collected during the investigation to help prepare its case. However, the judge imposed strict conditions governing how the materials can be accessed, shared and used.

Under the order, the confidential evidence can only be viewed by members of the defence team and others specifically authorised by the court. The documents cannot be publicly disclosed or used for any purpose outside the legal proceedings.

The ruling is expected to allow Abu Trica’s lawyers to better assess the prosecution’s case and prepare their defence before the trial begins in September.

The latest decision comes as both prosecutors and defence lawyers continue preparations for what is expected to be a closely watched trial.

Background

Abu Trica, whose extradition from Ghana to the United States sparked a lengthy legal battle, is facing criminal charges in the US linked to an alleged international fraud scheme. He had challenged his extradition in Ghanaian courts, with his legal team filing several applications in an attempt to halt his transfer to the United States.

Despite those efforts, the extradition process proceeded, paving the way for the case to be heard in a US federal court. The September trial is expected to determine the allegations against him, while the latest court order gives his legal team an opportunity to examine confidential investigative material under tightly controlled conditions before proceedings begin.