Asem Darkey not cooperating - Prosecutors

State prosecutors and the counsel for alleged cocaine baron, Sheriff Asem Darkey, on Wednesday argued in court, over the delay in prosecuting the case of the disappearance of the 77 parcels of cocaine in 2006.

The prosecution told the Accra High Court that they were not ready to commence the trial because Darkey, alias ‘Limping Man’ was not being cooperative.

“we are not ready to commence prosecution now. We have still not completed investigations, due to the sophisticated nature of the case,” Assistant State Attorney, Owusu Ameyaw said.

But defence counsel, George Heward-Mills, countered; saying the delay was untenable and wondered for how long the prosecution would give the excuse that investigations were ongoing.

“When shall they finish investigations? It doesn’t appear the accused person will be prosecuted within reasonable time,” he said.

He said the investigations ought to have been finished and a docket prepared by now, especially when there is no docket on an aspect of the case which involved other accused persons six years ago.

Mr. Heward-Mills said the liberty of his client was at stake and urged the court to grant him bail, adding that the accused is sick and was seeking treatment in hospital when he was arrested.

He prayed the court to exercise its power to grant bail even if under stiff conditions but Mr. Ameyaw opposed the application.

The court presided over by Ms Audrey Korcuvie-Tay refused the application and adjourned the case to April, 4.

The accused person has been charged with conspiracy, importation and exportation of narcotic drugs following his arrest on February 2, after going into hiding in 2006.

He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and has since been on remand. Darkey was indicted for allegedly paying 3,000 dollars to a detective sergeant to facilitate his escape.

The prosecution’s case is that on April 26, 2006, a vessel, MV Benjamin, reportedly carrying about 77 parcels of cocaine docked at Kpone/Tema and discharged it into a waiting vehicle.

The disappearance of the cocaine led to the constitution of the Georgina Wood committee and the subsequent trial of persons alleged to have played various roles.

In July 2008, an Accra Fast Track High Court, presided over by Mr. Justice Anin Yeboah (now a Supreme Court judge), convicted and sentenced Joseph Kojo Dawson, the owner of MV Benjamin and Managing Director of Dashment Company Limited; Isaac Arhin, sailor; Philip Bruce Arhin, mechanic; Cui Xian Li, the vessel engineer, and Lou Yui Xing, sailor, all crew members of the MV Benjamin to 25 years in prison with hard labour.