Cyber Security expert Richard Kumador has criticised the conduct of alleged cyber fraud suspect Abu Trica following his arrest, saying the suspect should have remained completely silent until his lawyer arrived.
Speaking on Sompa FM, Mr. Kumador questioned why Abu Trica continued to respond to investigators after stating that he would not speak until his lawyer was present. According to him, no suspect can be forced to speak, and once a person invokes the right to legal representation, the responsibility lies with the suspect to remain silent.
“The fact that investigators continue to ask questions does not mean you are obliged to answer,” Mr. Kumador explained. “Investigators will always ask questions. It is the duty of the suspect to keep quiet.”
He described the situation as a reflection of widespread public ignorance about basic legal rights in Ghana, stressing the need for better public education. He noted that suspects are not legally required to answer questions upon arrest and should wait until they have had private consultations with their lawyers.
Mr. Kumador further advised that even in the presence of a lawyer, suspects should not speak unless they have been properly guided and explicitly advised to do so. He urged caution, adding that every response should be carefully weighed with legal counsel.
Comparing cases, he praised Twum Barimah for refusing to speak during his arrest, describing that decision as the correct legal approach. In contrast, he argued that Abu Trica, an alleged cyber fraud suspect, should not have spoken at all.
