PROSECUTION'S INVESTIGATIONS HIT A SNAG

THE prosecution is facing difficulties in its investigations into the case in which Prince Tsibu Darko, the Tema-based businessman has been accused of exporting 3,700 kilogrammes of cocaine to Europe.
Consequently, at the instance of the prosecution, the Accra Fast Track High Court trying the accused yesterday adjourned the case to March 27, 2007, to enable the prosecution to conduct further investigations.
At the court’s sitting, Mrs Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, a Senior State Attorney said the prosecution was still conducting investigations into the matter and that the position remained the same.
She reminded the court of the prosecution’s request during the last sitting, that the case be adjourned to enable further investigations to be conducted but the Republic’s efforts had been hit by a snag.
“The position is still the same and the Republic has not been able to complete the investigations. We have some difficulties”, Mrs Obuobisa stated.
She did not indicate the kind of problem being faced by the prosecution but at earlier sittings, the court was informed that the investigations were being hampered by the fact that relevant information to assist in the prosecution was outside the jurisdiction of the court.
At the court’s last sitting, for instance, the prosecution asked for an adjournment to yesterday because it was wrapping up its investigations into the matter.
The prosecution told the court that investigations were still on going , while it was working on some leads it had received.
Mr Charles Puozuing, who stood in for Darko’s lead counsel did not object to the prosecution’s application.
The court, presided over by Mr Justice J. Dotse, an Appeal Court judge sitting with additional responsibility as a High Court judge, upheld the application and adjourned the case.
Darko is facing one count of engaging in business related to narcotic drugs and, according to the facts of the case, in the middle of 2005 he allegedly exported 3,700 kilogrammes of cocaine to Europe without lawful authority.
Darko was first remanded by the Fast Track Court on November 23, 2006, almost 72 hours after another High Court, presided over by Mr Justice Anthony Abada, had granted him bail in the sum of ¢5 billion with two sureties.
The High Court, on November 20, 2006, granted the accused person bail after his counsel had made an application to that effect but the prosecution had earlier that day entered a nolle prosequi at the circuit court, resulting in the discharge of the accused person.
He was, however, not released on bail because the prosecution preferred fresh charges against him after entering the nolle prosequi at the circuit court.
Currently, he is on a ¢1 billion bail with two sureties to be justified and had also surrendered his passport and any travel document to the registrar of the court.
He is also to report himself to the police investigator at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters of the Ghana Police Service every Wednesday until otherwise directed.