Editor's case adjourned

Accra (Greater Accra), 23rd June 99 ?

An Accra circuit court trying two Editors charged with publishing reports likely to injure the reputation of the government, on Tuesday adjourned to July seven at the instance of the defence.

The court, presided over by Mr Victor Ofoe, upheld an application by Mr Akoto Ampaw, counsel for Eben Quarcoo, former Editor of the "Free Press" one of the accused persons, to adjourn proceedings to enable his client produce some documents, which are relevant to the defence.

Counsel made the application when Quarcoo was being cross-examined by Mr Martin Amidu, Deputy Attorney-General, on the documents, which the accused had mentioned at an earlier sitting.

On trial with Quarcoo is Nana Kofi Coomson, Editor-in-Chief of the "Ghanaian Chronicle". Both have pleaded not guilty and each is on a 10 million cedis bail.

The accused persons in their papers, published that the government was dealing in drugs and that it was using the proceeds to purchase arms and ammunition, which it would use to destabilise the country if it lost the 1996 general elections.

Coomson has completed his evidence and denied the charge saying that he based his report on a publication made by the "African Observer," a paper based in New York.