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22.11.2014 General News

Cocaine saga: Omane-Boamah challenges UK to come public on diplomatic passport controversy

By MyJoyOnline
Cocaine saga: Omane-Boamah challenges UK to come public on diplomatic passport controversy
22.11.2014 LISTEN

Edward Omane Boamah, Ghana's Communication Minister, has challenged British security authorities to come public to prove claims that Ghanaian lady arrested for transporting cocaine to the United Kingdom (UK) had in her possession, a diplomatic passport.

The Minister commenting on the cocaine saga on Accra-based, Radio Gold said the British agencies would help put to rest information trickling in that Ruby Adu Gyamfi, also known as Nayele Ametefeh, travelled with a diplomatic passport to UK.

 “Why the British High Commission failed or refused to comment on whether the lady was arrested with a diplomatic passport in hand, I cannot understand…,” he said.

Dr Omane-Boamah has said if Nayele Ametefeh had a diplomatic passport the matter will be investigated .

Ms Ametefeh was on Monday, November 10, 2014 busted by officials at London's Heathrow Airport for carrying cocaine weighing 12.5kg in her luggage.

The consignment is said to be one of the largest tones of cocaine ever busted at London's Heathrow Airport.

The arrest of the lady popularly called 'Angel', has generated lots of controversy in the country with people linking her to top echelons within the ruling party in Ghana.

Others have also blamed the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) for sleeping on their duties and allowing the lady to pass unnoticed until her final arrest at London's Heathrow Airport.

However, the body had claimed they collaborated with the UK agencies and that led to the arrest of the lady who is said to have arrived in the UK with three passports – Ordinary Ghanaian passport, an Austrian passport and the disputed diplomatic passport.

The  UK High Commission in Ghana has since distanced itself  from NACOB's claim.

“UK authorities had no prior knowledge of the intentions of Nayele Ametefeh before flying from Accra to London on 9/10 November,” part of a statement issued by the commission read.

The disclaimer, it has been suggested, led to the dissolution of the governing board of NACOB by President John Mahama.

Against this backdrop, Dr. Omane Boamah argued the UK agencies would help end claims on whether Angel carried with her, a diplomatic passport or not.

“Let the British High Commission stand up and be counted… did she travel to Britain on a diplomatic or did she have a diplomatic passport in her possession…,?” he quizzed.

To him, once the UK High Commission has jumped into the fray, they must come clear on many issues concerning the cocaine matter.

“…if they didn't speak, it [would have been] a different ball game altogether, they have spoken, they should stand up and be counted…,” he shouted repeatedly on the station.

Nayele Ametefeh would appear in court on 27 th  November, 2014. Story by Ghana/adomonline.com / KWAKU NTI

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