Forty year old remanded for defiling girl, six

Benneh has case to answer, court rules.

Accra (Greater Accra) 10 Nov '99

An Accra Regional Tribunal, on Tuesday ruled that a "prima facie" case has been established by the prosecution against Frank Benneh, a former diplomat in Geneva, charged with five counts of dealing in narcotic drugs.

The Tribunal, chaired by Mr Justice Wright Mensah therefore, called on Benneh to open his defence on November 25. Benneh has pleaded not guilty and is on a 10 million cedis bail.

Sometime in January 1997, Benneh was arrested by the Swiss Police for dealing in cocaine.

The Government recalled Benneh to have him tried in Ghana since he was a diplomat and enjoyed diplomatic immunity.

In August this year, Mr Ray Kakraba-Quarshie, attorney for Benneh made a submission of "no case" for his client after the prosecution has closed its case.

Counsel submitted that, the prosecution failed to call officials of the Swiss Police who arrested Benneh and rather tendered written statements made by the officials.

He contended that since the prosecution also failed to call any of Benneh's accomplices who were arrested and tried by the Swiss authorities, the "burden of proof" which must be established by the prosecution was non-existent and urged the Tribunal to acquit and discharge Benneh.

Mr Martin Amidu, Deputy Attorney General in reply to counsel's submissions, said the prosecution proved its case beyond all reasonable doubt and pleaded with the court to dismiss counsel's plea of "no case".

Mr Amidu said the prosecution tendered reports prepared by Swiss Police on Benneh's arrest and subsequent investigations as part of its evidence to prove the charge against the accused.

GRi../