Kumi, who has denied all charges against him, was flown to the United States on Thursday, 9 July, and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering.
According to US prosecutors, the influencer allegedly used artificial intelligence tools to create fake online identities and targeted victims through social media and online dating platforms.
Investigators claim he built trust with elderly victims through frequent and intimate conversations before persuading them to send money under false pretences, including supposed medical emergencies, travel expenses and investment opportunities.
Authorities allege that the funds and valuables obtained from victims were transferred to co-conspirators posing as third parties, with Kumi allegedly distributing the proceeds among associates in both the United States and Ghana.
Kumi's lawyer, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, said he had gone to court on Thursday in an attempt to halt the extradition process, only to discover that his client had already been placed on a Delta Airlines flight to the United States.
The lawyer accused the Ghanaian government of bypassing "judicial oversight" by allegedly failing to wait for the court's decision, arguing that the extradition raises "profound constitutional questions".
However, the Ghanaian government has rejected the allegations and insisted that due process was followed.
Ghana's Justice Minister and Attorney General, Dominic Ayine, said the court had previously dismissed an application seeking Kumi's release.
"Last week the court dismissed the habeas corpus application as having no basis. So I had to proceed to apply for a surrender warrant from the Ministry of Interior, and the minister signed it on Wednesday, and we took him out on Thursday. So what due process is he talking about?" he said.
Kumi, who hails from the town of Swedru in southern Ghana, had amassed more than 100,000 followers on Instagram and frequently showcased luxury cars, designer items and an affluent lifestyle on social media, prompting questions about the source of his wealth.
He was arrested last year during a joint operation involving Ghanaian and US authorities.
The case is being prosecuted under the United States' Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act, which targets crimes committed against older citizens.
.jfif)
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