The businessman, who was allegedly arrested by the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) in the Nayele Ametefe cocaine saga, Alhaji Dawood Mohammed, has denied reports that he was arrest by the state security institution.
Alhaji Dawood, who appeared in court on Thursday December 4, said he went to the BNI voluntarily upon arrival in the country from Nigeria where he was transacting business.
He is being prosecuted for his alleged involvement in helping Nayele Ametefe to transport cocaine to the UK. He is alleged to have called a Deputy Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Abiel Ashitey Armah, by phone to allow the ladies (Nayele Ametefe and friends) to use the VIP Lounge and also help them onto the tarmac to board the British Airways plane to London.
Alhaji Dawood was clearly shedding tears when he sat in the dock in court. His lawyer, Addo Tuah, in an interview with the media said “Nayele Ametefe left Ghana on the 9th of November and was arrested on the 10th.
“My client traveled several days after that arrest and has been in the jurisdiction all this while. Throughout the time, no one made an attempt to invite him or contact him. When he arrived on Sunday, I went with him personally to the BNI premises, so it is untrue that he was arrested.”
In court today were about 10 family members of Alhaji Dawood to support him. The case has been adjourned to December 8, 2014.
Nayele Ametefe, the lady in the centre of the entire 12.5kg cocaine saga has since pleaded guilty and is expected to reappear in court on January 5, in UK. Since the news of the arrest broke, about twelve people have been arrested to aid in investigations.