Ndego will NOT fly down to testify, after all

Accra, Sept. 7, GNA - Mr Ben Ndego, former Head of Operations at the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB), who was subpoenaed by the Fast Track High Court to testify for Alhaji Isaah Abass in a drug-related offence, would not appear in court after all.

The court has therefore asked the defence to file their addresses by September 21. The prosecution would in turn file their addresses. When sitting resumed on Friday, the judge Mr. Justice Jones Victor Dotse registered his displeasure over the tone and content of correspondence forwarded by Messer Dery and Co, solicitors of Mr Ndego, to Abass's counsel.

The court noted that the date of arrival stated by Mr Ndego in the correspondence was doubtful.

According to the court, Mr. Ndego had indicated that could only be in the country in December, this year, but added that it would be risky for him to return to Ghana to testify for Abass.

It said Mr Ndego was also not ready to disclose his passport number and other details about him to enable the defence to purchase his ticket.

The court said counsel for Abass had demonstrated to the court its efforts to get Mr Ndego to return to the country to testify. However, it said, "the court's jurisdiction could not be extended to where Mr Ndego is and he (Mr Ndego) is not an accused person". "If he was an accused person then we would have solicited the assistance of the international security to bring him down.

"I have noted the effort made by the defence team to get Mr Ndego to testify but one cannot allow an individual to hold the court by ransom."

The case was adjourned to September 24. Earlier, Mr Mohammed Attah, counsel for Abass, briefing the court about developments made in securing a ticket for Ndego said from the above developments, he was handicapped.

"Under the following circumstances, we are handicapped under the law about the kind of application to make before the court." A letter dated on September 4, 2007 written by Dery and Co. stated among other things that Mr Ndego would appear at date convenient to him. According to the letter, on Mr Ndego's arrival, defence counsel would reimburse him.

On August 29, this year Mr Mohammed Attah, defence counsel for Alhaji Abass said his client was prepared to pay for the airfare of Mr Ndego to enable him to testify in the case. Mr Attah said after meeting with Mr Ndego's solicitors they agreed to purchase the ticket and had asked for the full name and passport number of Mr Ndego.

Mr Ndego was subpoenaed by an Accra Fast Track High Court to testify for Abass, who is standing trial with Kwabena Amaning aka Tagor for drug-related offences.

Mr Ndego, who has been interdicted, is said to be pursuing further education in the United Kingdom.

Abbas has alleged that Mr Ndego was the authority behind the recording of a meeting held at ACP Kofi Boakye's residence. Abass, 54, and Kwabena Amaning, 34, described by the prosecution as self-confessed drug barons, are jointly charged for conspiracy and are being tried for drug-related offences.

Abass is also being tried for carrying out prohibited business relating to narcotic drugs and supplying narcotic drugs, while Tagor has additionally been charged for carrying out prohibited business relating to narcotic drugs, buying and supplying of narcotic drugs. They have pleaded not guilty and the court has remanded them in prison custody.

The case of the prosecution is that the accused are self-confessed drug barons, who since 2004, had been actively engaged in activities of promoting and establishing various enterprises relating to narcotic drug offence.