Abass has no case to answer- Lawyer

Accra, June 14, GNA - Defence Counsel for Alhaji Issa Abass, who is trial for drug related offence, on Thursday said the evidence of prosecution was discredited and unreliable that, no reasonable tribunal could convict him.

Mr. Safo Buabeng noted that the case of the prosecution had no basis stressing that prosecution was only relying on a recorded conversation on Compact Disc to make its case. According to Mr. Buabeng, the case of the prosecution that Abass and Kwabena Amaning and other participants of a meeting at ACP Kofi Boakye's house were conspiring to look for the missing 76 parcels of cocaine was untrue.

Defence Counsel said they were instructed by ACP Boakye to keep their ears on the ground, adding that, at no point in time did Abass and Tagor conspired to look for the said parcels. Tagor and Alhaji Issa Abass, alleged self-confessed drug barons, are being tried for a drug-related offence.

Abass, 53, and Tagor 34, are jointly charged for conspiracy. Tagor has additionally been charged for carrying out prohibited business relating to narcotic drugs, buying and supplying of narcotic drugs, while Abass is being held for carrying out prohibited business relating to narcotic drugs and supplying narcotic drugs. They have pleaded not guilty before an Accra Fast Track High Court, presided over by Mr Justice Victor Jones Dotse, an Appeal Court Judge sitting as an additional High Court Judge and were remanded in prison custody.

Making a submission of no case before the court, Mr Buabeng pointed out that the prosecution witnesses including Detective Inspector Charles Adaba, did not lead any evidence to show that Abass and Tagor promoted business relating to narcotics drugs.

Mr. Buabeng said nowhere in the transcript of the recorded conversation did they admit that they were also going to enjoy the benefits of any business.

In the transcript, Defence Counsel said no where was the word cocaine mentioned, "They only mentioned goods and "goods are goods." He said prosecution cannot also rely on the tape to convict his client.

"The whole basis of the trial is on the tape which prosecution claimed there was a confession, they need to step beyond that." According to Mr Buabeng, relying on a confession statement cannot sustain conviction unless it had been collaborated or independent evidence was led.

"Prosecution should lead independent evidence to warrant conviction of the accused persons," he added.

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 June 21.