" I presumed 'African Observer ' was true", witness tells court.

Accra, (Greater Accra) 22^nd October '99,

Mr. Stephen Larbi, a free-lance journalist, on Thursday said, he presumed to be true, a story the African Obsever published, that the Government was dealing in arms and ammunition which it would use to destabilise the country if it lost the 1996 elections.

Mr. Larbi, a defence witness, was being cross-examined by the prosecution in a case in which Nana Kofi Coomson of the 'Chronicle' and Eben Quarcoo, former editor of the "Free Press" are charged with making publications in their papers which are likely to injure the reputation of the country.

Witness, who was working with the 'Chronicle' when the publications were made has already given evidence that he was among a team of investigators, who tried to get the facts of the case before the paper made the publication.

Mr. Larbi said he read the story in the 'Observer' and found it to be factual because " issues raised in the publication were serious and again, the Government did not deny the story after one week of the publication".

When Mr. Martin Amidu, Deputy Attorney-General asked him whether he read the "raw data" the 'Observer' collected upon which it based its story, witness replied in the negative, and added that, he only read the "perspective view" of the paper.

Coomson and Quarcoo have pleaded not guilty and both are on a 10 million cedis bail each.

In an answer to a question, Mr. Larbi said he has never disliked President Jerry John Rawlings and that he "disagrees with him ideologically" Earlier, defence counsel, Mr. Akoto Ampaw, had objected to questions that the Prosecution asked the witness, concerning some articles he had written about the President some years ago.

The court, presided over by Mr. Victor Ofoe overruled the objection and asked the Prosecution to tender copies of the articles since witness has admitted having written them.

Hearing continues on November four.

The court announced that it would give judgement in a case in which Quarcoo is charged with criminal libel on November four.

He had published in the Free Press that Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, the First Lady, was dealing in drugs and that she carried gold outside the country on unannounced trips.

Quarcoo has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

GRi