Captain Smart defends Abu Trica interview: ‘I only acted in my role as a journalist’

Veteran Ghanaian broadcaster Captain Smart has defended his decision to interview businessman and socialite Abu Trica, insisting he merely performed his duties as a journalist and did nothing to interfere with the ongoing extradition proceedings against his guest.

The broadcaster’s comments come after Abu Trica’s lawyer, Osagyefo Oliver Barker-Vormawor, criticised the television appearance, arguing that no lawyer would advise a client to publicly discuss a case that is still before the courts.

Speaking to journalists after a recent court hearing, Barker-Vormawor said individuals facing active legal proceedings should refrain from making public statements that could complicate their defence.

“No responsible lawyer would advise a client to grant a television interview and publicly discuss a case that is still before the courts,” he said.

Responding to the criticism, Captain Smart maintained that he had simply fulfilled his professional responsibility by giving Abu Trica an opportunity to tell his side of the story.

“I am not a court, first of all. I am not a lawyer, and I only acted in my role as a journalist,” he said.

Captain Smart also dismissed suggestions that the interview had negatively affected Abu Trica’s extradition case.

“Why should it affect him? I am not sure it has affected him,” he stated when asked whether the television appearance had placed the businessman at a legal disadvantage.

Addressing criticism on social media, where some users claimed the interview may have weakened Abu Trica’s legal position, the broadcaster declined to engage with those opinions.

“That is their opinion, and opinion is like noses. I do not see why I should comment on a post written by someone I have no knowledge of,” he added.

The controversy stems from Abu Trica’s appearance on Onua TV in June, during which he denied allegations linking him to an $8 million romance fraud scheme. During the interview, he claimed investigators had informed him that only $13,000 was directly connected to his case and also recounted aspects of his interrogation following his arrest.

The interview sparked widespread public debate, with some legal observers questioning whether it was appropriate for a suspect facing extradition to publicly discuss matters that remain before the courts.

Abu Trica is currently at the centre of extradition proceedings after the Accra High Court dismissed his application to stop his transfer to the United States, where he is wanted over allegations of wire fraud and money laundering. He has denied all wrongdoing and continues to challenge the allegations against him.