‘Asantehene’s name wasn’t mentioned in recording’

A member of the Justice Georgina Wood Committee has denied that the name of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu was mentioned in the recorded conversation which took place in the house of ACP Kofi Boakye and made available to the committee.

Testifying under cross examination at the Fast Track High Court trying the cocaine case involving Kwabena Amaning, alias Tagor and Alhaji Issah Abbas, Yaw Baah who is also an MP for Kumawu said the title “Chief” (Ohene, in Akan) was mentioned without being specifically referred to any name such as the Asantehene or the Manhyia Palace. He said the chief mentioned on the tape could mean a different person.

He was being cross examined by Mohammed Atta, counsel for Alhaji Abbas.

Question: The name of the King of Manhyia was mentioned?

Answer: No. What was mentioned was 'Ohene' and it means a chief so it could be a different chief.

Question: Did you find any relationship between Alhaji Moro and Manhyia Palace?

Answer: No

Question: Did you appear before the committee?

Answer: Yes

Question: In his testimony he said he was connected with the Manhyia Palace.

Answer: It is never so. He was asked whether he had any links with the Otumfuo or whether he had any links with the Otumfuo or whether he had gone to Manhyia Palace to solicit for help for Tagor. And in his reply (which was made in Twi), he said the Otumfuo did not tolerate this kind of criminal activities and that if anyone made such an appeal to him, he would apprehend that person and give him out to the police.

Tagor is facing four counts of conspiracy, engaging in prohibited business related to narcotic drugs and supplying narcotic drugs while Alhaji Abbas faces two counts of conspiracy and supply of narcotic drugs.

They have pleaded not guilty to all the counts and have been refused bail by the court.

Source: Daily Graphic