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24.04.2015 General News

Abodam Jailed! For Wee

By Daily Guide
Abodam Jailed! For Wee
24.04.2015 LISTEN

HIPLIFE ARTISTE Emmanuel Botchwey, popularly known in music circles as Kwaw Kese aka 'Abodam,' yesterday spent the night behind bars after a Kumasi circuit court had sentenced him to a day's imprisonment for possessing marijuana, popularly known as wee, without lawful authority and publicly smoking it.

He was arrested at the wine shop of Plus-2 Pub at Nhyiaeso, a suburb of Kumasi in the Ashanti Region, on November 22, 2014 by the police and arraigned for prosecution subsequently.

The KMA court, presided over by William Boampong, in addition, sentenced the musician to a fine of GH¢1,200.

Kwaw was to spend three years in prison in hard labour in default of payment. But DAILY GUIDE learnt that the money was immediately paid and Abodam is expected to be freed today.

Arrest
Uniformed policemen on snap check duties close to the pub arrested Kwaw Kese when they were informed about his offensive conduct - smoking the illicit substance in the midst of people.

ASP Charles Appiah of the Police Drug Law Enforcement Unit said the incident happened around 11pm when several people were making merry at the Plus-2 Pub.

Abodam was said to have gone to Kumasi to take part in the famous 'Old School Reunion' programme aired by a Kumasi-based radio station – LUV Fm – at the Baba Yara Stadium.

He proceeded to the Plus 2 Wine Shop, a popular hangout in the city, after the programme where he decided to smoke the narcotic substance.

Scores of people who became offensive alerted the police, leading to his arrest, which he did not resist, but pleaded clemency from the law enforcers and was put before the court for trial.

The court remanded him into prison custody.
In-And-Out Of KATH
He was put into a police van and sent to the Kumasi Central Prisons which served as his new home until he was granted bail on December 30, 2014 on health grounds.

The court, presided over by Justice William Boampong, granted him GH¢80,000 bail with one surety to be justified.

Kwaw Kese had been in and out of hospital prior to his trial.

He was rushed to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) on December 11 – a day before he made his second appearance in court – after complaining of stomach upset.

Police put him under 24-hour guard at a special ward at KATH while medical officers observed his condition

His initial plea for bail was refused by judge Boampong, who has now been promoted to a high court.

From Ernest Kofi Adu, Kumasi

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