Prosecution witness testifies at Asem Darkey's trial

The State on Monday continued with the trial of Christian Asem Darkey, who allegedly imported 77 parcels of cocaine on board the MV Benjamin, when the sixth prosecution witness, the Police investigator in the case testified.

Darkey also known as Sherriff, a businessman, is on trial for conspiracy, importation of narcotic drugs, possession of narcotic drugs without lawful authority, undertaking prohibited business relating to narcotic drugs and corruption of public officer.

He had pleaded not guilty and remanded into prison custody.

Four out of the five prosecution witnesses gave evidence in-camera while the fifth witness testified in open court.

Detective Police Chief Inspector Charles Adama of the Criminal Investigations Department, Headquarters, the Ghana Police Service, and sixth prosecution witness was led in evidence by Mrs Yvonne Attakora Obuobisa, Principal State Attorney.

Chief Insp. Adama told the court that in August 2006, he was attached to the Research Department of the Ministry of the Interior.

He said the Department received intelligence report that the accused had imported 77 parcels of cocaine into the country using the MV Benjamin, and that some fishermen had spotted the vessel on the high seas in the territorial waters of Ghana.

Chief Insp. Adama said the fishermen had no catch so they decided to approach the vessel expecting that they could get some fish, but on approaching the vessel they heard gun shots.

Prosecution witness said the fishermen reported the incident to the canoe owner and they later reported the matter to the Tema New-Town Police.

He said that some Police officers including those who had been convicted and the fishermen led by Police Sergeant Amoah went to the Kpone beach and saw Daewoo saloon car, Toyota Land Cruiser and a white van parked.

Chief Insp. Adama said he and the fishermen saw the accused in the Toyota Land Cruiser giving instructions to other persons.

He said the accused asked them (witness and fishermen) to join him on his vehicle to a place while the other two vehicles went to an unknown destination.

Chief Insp. Adama said the accused went somewhere and returned with a white polythene bag containing unspecified amount of dollars, out of which Sergeant Amoah gave the fishermen $10,000 for the information given to the Police.

Prosecution witness said that he took over the case in October, 2006 from Police Insp. Justice Oppong of the Accra Regional CID and realised that the statements of suspects and witnesses had already been taken.

Chief Insp Adama said, there was the need for further investigations and he proceeded to Takoradi, Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), for further enquiries on the vessel and Tema to inspect it.

Witness said when he inspected the vessel, the name MV Benjamin on it had been tampered with.

Chief Insp. Adama said he returned to the GMA to ascertain ownership of the vessel and he was told that it was transferred from a Korean to Dashment Company Limited on April 20, 2000.

Witness said when he proceeded to the Registrar General’s Department he realized that the directors of the company were Joseph Kojo Dawson and John Kobina Dawson Senior.

Chief Insp. Adama tendered in evidence documents which were certificate of incorporation of the company but Mr. George Heward-Mills, Counsel for Darkey, objected to the evidence claiming that the documents were not proper and were not readable.

Mr. Justice Mustapha Habib Logoh, presiding over an Accra Fast Track High Court, adjourned the case to July 23, for the prosecution to produce the appropriate documents in a proper manner before the court.**