ACCUSED SCARES OFF WITNESSES

By William Yaw Owusu

Wednesday, 29 November 2006
DETECTIVE Sergeant Samuel Yaw Amoah, the policeman being wanted for his role in the disappearance of 76 parcels of cocaine from the MV Benjamin vessel at the Tema Port, is said to be allegedly threatening potential prosecution witnesses from his hideout.

As a result of this, the prosecution is finding it difficult to assemble its witnesses for the case, Ms Gertrude Aikins, Chief State Attorney, has said.


Sgt. Amoah, of the Tema Regional Police Command, absconded immediately he and five other suspects were granted bail by an Accra Circuit Court on September 25.


Ms. Aikins told the Accra Fast Track Court trying another case involving the missing cocaine case that “Amoah is actively threatening our witnesses and his action has put fear in the witnesses.

They are afraid to come to court to testify.”
She pointed out that the situation threatens the administration of justice, but added, “We have decided to give the witnesses the needed protection that they can freely testify."

Ms. Aikins disclosed to the court that almost all the suspects in the case who were granted bail at the Greater Accra Regional Tribunal had absconded while others had interfered with investigations.

She, therefore noted that the amendment of Act 714 giving the courts the power to refuse bail for people dealing in narcotic drugs bail ‘is a timely intervention that will protect and safeguard the liberty of the society."

Initially, Sgt Amoah together with Sgt David Nyarko and Lance Corporal Dwamena Yabson were arraigned before the court on September 12. But Lance Corporal Peter Bundorin and Sergeant Isaac Asante were added to them on September 18, with Corporal Kennedy Dzakeh joining them on October 20.

Amoah, Yabson, Bundorin and Asante were on September 25 granted ¢300 million bail with one surety each when Befuiriseeh Cab-Beyou, a Chief State Attorney, withdrew the initial charge of abetment and replaced it with extortion for which all the accused pleaded not guilty.

The Attorney General, Mr. Joe Ghartey, immediately evoked the powers vested in him under Article 88 of the Constitution by countermanding the decision and ordering their re-arrest, but Amoah had already escaped.

The accused appeared before the court on September 28 charged with five counts of conspiracy, importation of narcotic drugs without license, abetment, possession of narcotic drugs without lawful authority and doing prohibited business relating to narcotic drugs and have since been in prison custody.

The prosecution has indicated its intention to file a "nolle prosequi" at the Circuit Court so that they could be re-arrested and put before the Fast Track High Court this week.