GRi In Court 16-03-99

Prosecution closes its case in Benneh's case

Tribunal fines drunken driver 200,000 cedis

Accra (Greater Accra), 16 March  

The prosecution in the case in which Frank Benneh, a former diplomat in Switzerland, is charged with dealing in narcotic drugs, Monday closed its case when the investigator, Police sergeant Eugene Peprah completed his evidence-in-chief.

In all, the prosecution called five witnesses, including Ghana's Ambassador in Switzerland, Mrs Aggrey-Orleans. Benneh, who has pleaded not guilty to a charge of dealing in cocaine while on diplomatic duty, was arrested with three others in 1996 for dealing in narcotic drugs. He is on a 10 million-cedi bail.

Led in evidence by Mr Martin Amidu, Deputy Attorney- General and Minister of Justice, Sgt. Peprah tendered in evidence, a report on an agreement reached between the Swiss authorities and the Ghana government to adopt proceedings of a court that tried some suspects who were arrested with Benneh.

Witness again tendered a sworn statement of Detective/Inspector Michael Becker of the Swiss Police who acted as a cover agent and arrested Benneh and three other suspects who were tried in Switzerland.

Sgt Peprah said in August last year, he was assigned to investigate the case and travelled to Switzerland to finalise his investigations.

Witness said before he left, the head of the Narcotic Control Board, Mr Kofi B.Quantson gave him a report of investigations he had conducted in the case when he went to Switzerland to negotiate on behalf of the Government, the trial of Benneh in Ghana.

Sgt Peprah said while in Switzerland, an official of the Embassy introduced him to the Swiss Police who also directed him to the judge which tried the suspects who were arrested with Benneh.

Witness said the Judge, Madam Christiane Junold told him that the suspects had been tried according to Swiss law and are free in Switzerland but 15 grams of cocaine found on Benneh and the suspects has been destroyed.

He said the Judge told him that a report on the proceedings of the trial could be given to assist him in his investigations. Sgt Peprah said she gave out the report as well as the sworn statement of the arresting officer.

Witness said the Judge told him that Inspector Becker could not be called by the Ghana Government as a witness because he acted as a cover agent and that, under Swiss law, a cover agent is only permitted to give evidence in camera. Cross-examined by Mr Ray Kakraba-Quarshie, attorney for Benneh, witness agreed to a suggestion that, as far as his investigations showed, there was no exhibit of the 15 grams of cocaine found on Benneh.

At this juncture, counsel indicated that he intended to submit an application of " no case" at the next adjourned date, April 16.

Accra (Greater Accra), 16 March 

A Community Tribunal in Accra on Monday imposed a fine of 200,000 cedis on Isaac Wemegah, 38, for driving under the influence of alcohol and for failing to produce his driving licence. He pleaded guilty to the charges and will go to prison for two months if he does not pay the fine.

Police Inspector Reynolds Agyeman told the court presided over by Mrs Ivy Heward-Mills that Wemegah was arrested on March 13 when the Kwame Nkrumah Avenue and Kojo Thompson roads were turned into one-way.

He said Wemegah was found driving in the wrong lane. When a policewoman signalled him to stop he nearly run into her. His alcohol level measured by the alco-meter registered 0.20 which was above the legal limit of 0.08.

The court ordered that his driving licence, which he claimed at the time of his arrest was with the Nima Police, should be endorsed. The police said Wemegah produced the licence but said the fine was not as painful as the publicity given to him when he was arrested.