" I did thorough investigations into editors' case" - witness

Accra (Greater Accra) 18 Feb'99

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Kwasi Korankye Amoah, has said he made thorough investigations into the case in which two editors are charged with making publications likely to injure the reputation of the government. DSP Amoah, who was the investigator in the case was replying to a suggestion by defence counsel, Mr Akoto Ampaw that he did "shoddy work" Kofi Coomson, editor-in-chief of the " Ghanaian Chronicle" and Eben Quarcoo, former editor of the " Free Press" have pleaded not guilty and they are each on a 10 million cedis bail. The accused in 1995, published in their newspapers that the NDC government was dealing in narcotic drugs and that it was using the proceeds to purchase arms and ammunition which would be used to destablise the country if it lost the 1996 general elections.

DSP Amoah agreed with counsel that after reading the publications complained of, he found that the accused stated they culled it from the "African Observer," a foreign magazine edited in America. Witness said his investigations did not extend to the publication made by the magazine.

When counsel asked whether he investigated a portion of the publication which stated that, Frank Benneh, a former diplomat in Geneva had been arrested for dealing in narcotic drugs, witness said that aspect was handled by another unit of the Police. DSP Amoah disagreed with counsel that because he did not investigate that portion of the publication which mentioned Benneh, he did a shoddy work. Cross-examination continues on Tuesday, February 23.