Driver testifies in defence of Abbas

Accra, Aug. 15, GNA - Issah Abass, who is being tried for a narcotic-related offence, on Wednesday produced one of the people he had asked to assist the Police in arresting Sheriff Asem Dake, aka Limping man. Sheriff is said to have imported 77 parcels of cocaine on board MV Benjamin.

One Nana, who was a police informant, confirmed to the court that he was approached by Abass to assist the police to track down Sheriff. Alhaji Abass, 54, and Tagor, 34, described by the prosecution as self-confessed drug barons, are jointly charged for conspiracy and are being tried for drug-related offences. Abass is also being tried for carrying out prohibited business relating to narcotic drugs and supplying narcotic drugs, while Tagor has additionally been charged for carrying out prohibited business relating to narcotic drugs, buying and supplying of narcotic drugs. They have pleaded not guilty and the court has remanded them in prison custody.

Led in evidence by Mr. Mohamed Attah, counsel for Abass, Nana, the third defence witness, told the court that last year he was in the house when he received a call from Abass who asked him to assist the Police in tracing one Killer and Sheriff. He said initially, he did not want to get involved but the Police convinced him to help for the sake of Abass and the country. Witness mentioned Detective Inspectors Nana Justice Oppong, Charles Adaba, Alhaji and Sule as some of the policemen he met at Abbas' office in Tema.

Nana, who is a driver at the Tema Port, said he and one Gonu agreed to help the police to track down Sheriff. "The Police gave us two million cedis and two mobile phones and Abass gave me a mobile phone as well," witness said. Nana said he went to the house of Killer's wife but did not find him. Witness said he conveyed the information to Detective Inspector Oppong and the police followed up and arrested Killer's wife. "The Police demanded the photographs of Killer." Witness said he later had information that Sheriff would be attending a funeral at Big Ada and he hinted the Police. Nana said the following day, he and Gonu as well as Police personnel went to the funeral ground, which was near a school. He said he went to Ada on a motorbike and Gono used a VW Golf. They positioned themselves at the funeral ground, the school and Ada Junction.

Nana said they saw Sheriff who was in a hat and a black suit a few minutes later Sheriff, his driver and his wife entered a car. "As soon as they entered the car, we took the lead." Witness said Gonu's Golf car developed a fault on the road and they opened his bonnet to find out what the problem was. While Gonu was being assisted, Sheriff in his four-wheel drive vehicle drove past them at top speed.

Nana said while one of the Policemen maintained that Sheriff was not in the car, he insisted that he was in the car. Witness said the Police drove back to Accra and he later found Sheriff's car parked at the Greater Accra Regional Police Command. He told the court that the police failed to give them the 40 million cedis reward, adding that because of his involvement in the matter, some callers had been threatening him. "My Lord the police have disappointed me. I don't feel safe now," Nana said.

Answering questions under cross-examination by Ms Gertrude Aikins, Chief State Attorney, Nana denied that his evidence was not true. When the prosecution read out the names of the policemen who accompanied Detective Inspector Oppong, witness insisted that Detective Inspector Adaba was among the policemen. According to the witness, Detective Inspector Adaba wore a wine suit.

When Chief State Attorney suggested to the witness that Detective Inspector Adaba was stationed at the Headquarters of the Criminal Investigations Department and there was no way he could join the policemen from its regional office, witness said he would not know. Witness said he could not tell what transpired at ACP Kofi Boakye's house. The case of the prosecution is that the accused are self-confessed drug barons who since 2004 had been actively engaged in activities of promoting and establishing various enterprises relating to narcotic drugs. Hearing continues on August 22.