Policemen and BNI officer discharged for narcotics offences

An Accra Circuit Court on Wednesday discharged Corporal Isaac Okine and Lance Corporal Dennis Maakogor Pwamang, both policemen and Felix Bani, Bureau of National Investigation (BNI) officer, for alleged supply of narcotics without lawful authority.

The court presided over by Mr. Francis Obiri said the court discharged the accused persons upon an advice by the Attorney-General’s Department and filed to the court.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Aidan Derry, prosecuting, told the court that both policemen and the BNI officer were stationed at Bole.

He said on February 13, the patrol team had a tip-off that Yakubu Eddisah, unemployed, was selling narcotic drugs at Band-Nkwanta, a mining community near Bole.

He said the team proceeded to the exact location where the accused person was arrested with 38 wraps of rocky substances and wraps of a powdery substance all suspected to be narcotic drugs.

The prosecution said they found a quantity of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis.

“During interrogation, Yakubu claimed ownership of the suspected narcotic drugs and denied knowledge of the suspected cannabis,” he added.

DSP Derry said Yakubu also mentioned the two policemen and the BNI officer as his suppliers.

He said according to Yakubu, he provided information for the arrest of a drug peddlers at Bole during which they retrieved the suspected narcotic drugs.

Yakubu also claimed that the officers collected Ghc1,000 from the dealer and set him free and handed some of the substances to him as his share of the booty.

Upon their arrest, they denied knowledge of the offense in their caution statements.

Meanwhile, the court would determine the fate of Yakubu on the charge of possessing narcotic drug. The court convicted Yakubu on his own plea and he would re-appear Monday June 16 for sentencing.