ACP Boakye's counsel raises issues with Committee

Accra, Aug. 23, GNA -- Mr Joe Abogye Debrah, leading counsel of Mr Kofi Boakye, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), in the cocaine saga, told the press that they had made a submission to the Georgina Wood Committee, in which a number of issues had been raised including asking for the certified transcript of the cross-examination of the Inspector-General of Police held on August 15, 2006.

The Team also asked for the certified transcript of the evidence of Mr Ben Ndegu and the certified transcript of the evidence of Mr Emmanuel K. Agyarko, Chief Executive Officer of the Foods and Drugs Board. Mr Debrah said as part of their efforts to support the Committee to fulfil its mandate, they were drawing the attention of the Committee to a number of questions that must necessarily be determined in order to unravel the mystery of the missing cocaine.

Counsel was talking to the press outside the chamber of the Committee after the Committee investigating the cocaine related cases that rocked the country in recent times on Wednesday adjourned. Mr Debrah said the question included: "Whether MV Benjamin had a crew and whether their identities are known? Whether the crew of MV Benjamin was arrested? If so when? Whether the crew of MV Benjamin has testified to the Committee and if not, when they are due to testify?" The other questions raised were: "Whether MV Benjamin was raided on the high seas or at the Tema Port? Whether the Ghana Navy escorted MV Benjamin into port or it berthed by itself at the Port?

They also wanted to know if the Tema Port Security officials had also testified to the Committee; which security agency went on the MV Benjamin to discover only one parcel of cocaine and who led that operation among other questions.

The adjournment would enable the Committee to carry out in chamber work before fixing a date for the next sitting.

The Committee was billed to compare their notes with that of the team of counsel defending Mr Boakye on the transcribed version of the controversial tape recording between ACP Boakye and some alleged drug barons in Mr Boakye's house.

Counsel team for Mr Boakye made up of Mr Vincent Aikins, Mr Joe Aboagye Debrah and Mr Maxwell Opoku Agyemang, on appearance last week told the Committee that part of the tape had been edited. The Team also alleged that "certain words had been put in the mouth of their client" when the Committee did its transcription and hence they needed time to work on the tapes for comparison.

The Team had, therefore, appealed to the Committee to allow them to compare the notes to enable them to iron out the differences in the transcription as well as determine if it was the same tape that both teams had in their possession.

Mrs Wood, Chairperson of the Committee, told Mr Boakye and his team of counsel that the Committee would prefer to do the comparison on its own, arguing that it would be a laborious task for the team to sit with the Committee members to compare the notes.

"You have submitted your version of the tape and we also have our version. We would try to find out if we both have the same transcription and get back to you later=94, she told the Team.

She however announced that Mr Bentum Quantson, a former National Security Co-ordinator, and also the first Executive Director of the Narcotics Control Board would make an appearance to the Committee sitting, tomorrow, August 24, 2006.