Security capo confirms ACP Boakye's story

The Minister for National Security, Francis Poku has told the Justice Georgina Wood committee that ACP Kofi Boakye informed him about the outcome of his meeting with the suspected drug barons.

Mr. Poku's testimony corroborates that of ACP Boakye who earlier told the committee that he reported to the national security minister after his meeting with the drug suspects. The minister was testifying at a public sitting of the committee on Tuesday.

Giving his testimony before the committee investigating the disappearance of narcotics on a Shipping Vessel, M V Benjamin, Mr. Poku said his attention was drawn to reports suggesting that ACP Boakye informed him of his intention to meet with the four suspected drug barons at his residence.

The Minister for National Security who appeared on his own volition told the committee that ACP Kofi Boakye informed him about the meeting sometime in April. He said this was after the first committee was set up to investigate the disappearance of 5 kilograms of cocaine from the custody for the National Control Board.

“He didn't tell me before I left the meeting. I remember however that ACP Kofi Boakye mentioned to me that he had met certain persons who appeared to know of the drugs that were arrested by unknown persons at the Ports of Tema. I advised him to contact a committee I had set up and make available to the committee information at his disposal; this is the three man committee”, he said

The minister also dispelled suggestions that President Kufuor failed to act on the taped conversation recorded at the meeting with the suspected drug barons. He told the committee national security would have been given the tape had the President obtained a copy.

The Inspector General of Police on his part is said to have denied that ACP Boakye gave him prior notice of the meeting with the suspected barons.

myjoyonline sources on the Committee said IGP Patrick Achemapong giving evidence in camera said the embattled Police chief did not inform him of the meeting before it was held.

The sources say the IGP told the committee he got to know of the meeting later from the ACP.

But Mr. Boakye had earlier told the committee that he gave the IGP prior notice of the meeting.