Police apologises to Finatrade Group of Companies

Accra, Feb. 25, GNA - The Ghana Police Command on Thursday apologised to Finatrade Group of Companies for wrongfully arresting and detaining three of the company's staff members for unlawful importation of narcotic drugs through the Tema Harbour.

"The Ghana Police service hereby makes an unqualified retraction of the false accusation made against the said Group of Companies, their Directors and Employees."

The apology was contained in a press release signed on behalf of the=

Deputy Superintendent of

Police, Kwesi Ofori, Director of Public Affairs of the Police Command and=

copied to Ghana News

Agency (GNA). It said on December, 2006, Mohammed Salami, Michael Ayache and Isaac=

Quansah were

accused of importing unlawful narcotic drugs and subsequently remanded in=

custody. The three employees spent the Christmas holidays behind bars until January 12, 2007 when

they were discharged by an Accra Circuit court after the prosecutor had withdrawn the criminal

charge against them. The release said: "The service will like to put on record that the publicity of the false accusation

was not intended to harm or tarnish the image or reputation of the said group of companies, their

Directors and employees." It said any harm caused by the false accusation and publication was regrettable and would not

be repeated. In a related development, Mr. Nabil Moukarzel, Chief Executive Offic= er of Market Direct, a

subsidiary of Finatrade Group of Companies has commended the Police Comma= nd for the retraction

and apology to the corporate entity. "Finatrade wishes to thank the Judiciary of Ghana and the entire Judiciary system and especially

the Attorney-General for displaying professionalism in their work to unea= rth the truth in every

allegation." Mr. Moukarzel told the GNA that "The last four years have been a long=

and painful experience for

Finatrade, its employees and in particular, Michael Ayache, Mohammed Sala= mi and Isaac Quansah

who have today been vindicated". He re-affirmed Finatrade's commitment to standing out as one of Ghana= 's leading corporate

entities and would continue to contribute to the country's economic growt= h, through substantial

support to the Agricultural sector.