Chief State Attorney Asks For Time In Cocaine-Swapping Case

Mr Anthony Rexford Wiredu, Chief State Attorney, on Monday pleaded for time to complete investigations into the alleged cocaine swapping case involving Deputy Superintendent of Police Gifty Mawuenyega Tehoda.

He told the Accra Circuit Court hearing the case: "Investigations have almost been completed, therefore, I plead with the court to give us some time. We will take a date after which the prosecution will decide whether the trial will continue at the Circuit or High Court.”

Ms Audrey Kokuvi Tay, the trial judge, before adjourning the case, asked the prosecution to inform the court appropriately at the next sitting where the trial would continue.

The case was, consequently, adjourned to March 5.

He said Vice President John Dramani Mahama on December 4, 2011, directed the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI) to investigate the loss of 1,020 grammes of cocaine tendered in evidence at an Accra Circuit Court on September 27, 2011 which was admitted without any objection in a case against Nana Ama Martins.

However, the following day at the trial, the defence objected to the exhibit claiming it was not cocaine.

Mr Wiredu said the prosecution would lead evidence to show that an uncle of Nana Ama Martins, one Yankey, and a sister of Nana Ama called Gyabaah Serwah, informed a witness that they had managed with the assistance of DSP Tehoda to change the cocaine into sodium bicarbonate after the trial judge had refused to take GHC5, 000 as a bribe out of which he was to be given GHC4,000 and GHC1,000 to the Court Clerk, one Lawalni.

He said there was evidence that one Beatrice Narh, a family member of Nana Ama Martins, confided in her (witness) not to tell anyone about the role played by DSP Tehoda and others in the swapping exercise.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Tehoda was the Deputy Head, Commercial Crime Unit at the Police Headquarters in Accra.

Mr Wiredu said the witness stated that they contacted one lawyer Kombla Senanu and had to pay GHC10,000 as legal fees but because Nana Ama Martins could not pay, her sister Serwah and others agreed to sell a house belonging to Nana Ama to pay for the legal fees and other expenses.

He said DSP Tehoda and the uncle of Nana Ama Martins, Yankey, spearheaded the process by sending the indenture on the property to the Lands Commission to ascertain its validity and sale after which the proceeds was given to DSP Tehoda.

Mr Wiredu said DSP Tehoda invited lawyer Senanu on three occasions to her office and paid him the legal fees and informed him (Lawyer Senanu) that they had managed to swap the cocaine and turned it into sodium bicarbonate.

He said after the second test, which proved negative for cocaine, and Nana Ama Martins was released, DSP Tehoda was seen jubilating in her office on that day.

Mr Wiredu noted that the process of changing the cocaine into sodium bicarbonate was facilitated by DSP Tehoda hence her being charged with abetment for undertaking an activity relating to narcotics.

DSP Tehoda is on GHc100, 000 bail following an appeal at the Human Rights Court with two sureties, one to be justified.

She is to report to the Police every Monday.