Yes, I recorded Kofi Boakye Alhaji Abass confesses at cocaine trial

Alhaji Issah Abass, second accused person in the on-going trial on the missing 77 parcels of cocaine from the vessel, MV Benjamin, yesterday confirmed that he was the one who recorded the infamous meeting at the residence of ACP Kofi Boakye.

Opening his defense at the Fast Track Court (FTC), where he is standing trial together with Kwabena Amaning alias Tagor for narcotic related offences, Alhaji Abass noted that he acted on the orders of Mr. Ben Ndego, the former Deputy Executive Secretary and Director of Operations at the Narcotic Control Board (NACOB).

He told the court presided over by Justice Jones Dotse, an Appeal court judge sitting as an additional High court judge that the gadget he used for recording the infamous meeting was provided by Ben Ndego through his driver.

Abass, who denied all the three counts of narcotic related charges preferred against him, noted that he informed Mr. Ndego anytime he was called by the interdicted police officer, Kofi Boakye, to discuss the missing cocaine.

The accused person told the court that he was tasked to record the conversation at the meeting because the interdicted police officer was being suspected by the NACOB as having knowledge about the missing illegal drug.

Recounting what transpired between him and the interdicted police officer, the accused person, who admitted he was well known within the Police Service and the country's harbours as a result of business linkages, said he went to the office of ACP Boakye to seek assistance for a friend but was asked to stay over for a discussion which he obliged.

He indicated that at the meeting with ACP Kofi Boakye, the police officer questioned him about rumours being spread by him and Tagor that he and his junior officers had gone to steal cocaine in Tema but which he dismissed.

Abass informed the court in his evidence that, Ben Ndego had earlier contacted and informed him about the intelligence report received by NACOB in relation to the narcotic drugs.

According to the accused person, Ndego had contacted him to enquire about parts of the vessel where things could be concealed since he (Abass) was familiar with marine vessels.

Led in evidence by his counsel, Mr. Mohammed Attah, accused person who recounted all that happened last year, indicated that he was informed by Tagor after he met him entering the office of Kofi Boakye that he was scared about the threats of the police officer.
He told the court further that he received another call from Tagor who told him that the Bodyguard of ACP Kofi Boakye, by name Ahotor, had called him and demanded to meet him.

Abass told the court that he advised his co-accused person to meet with the said Ahotor but called Ben Ndego who placed surveillance on Tagor whilst he left to meet with the Bodyguard of the interdicted police officer.

“Tagor called to tell me, Kofi Boakye's Bodyguard had asked him to corporate with his boss as he would protect him and make life comfortable for him in the country,” Abass told the court.

He further told the court that he assured Tagor not to be scared of ACP Kofi Boakye since he was armed with a recorder and tasked by one Ben Ndego of NACOB to record all that transpires at the meeting.

Additionally, the accused person noted that in convincing Tagor to appreciate that he was not being set up; he called Ben Ndego on phone who confirmed the deal to the hearing of his co-accused.

The accused person, who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Gazimbex Ghana Ltd and Issadis Ventures, told the court that apart from him and his co-accused, Tagor, no one at the infamous meeting knew about the secret recordings.

He informed the court that his company, Gazimbex, represented Africa and is the sole agent of vehicles from Russia
He further told the court that he supplied the Police service and fishing companies with cars and motorbike tyres, wheels and tendered in evidence, business transactions of supplying car parts to the police service as well as receipts of payments made by the police service to him, noting that the police service still owed him.

He also told the court of his ownership of three vessels, namely MV Cicina, Elam and Mighaylouse.

Earlier at the trial, Tagor, who was continuing with cross examination, told the court that the mention of goods at the meeting meant general drugs and not narcotic drugs, adding that it was not true he was very well versed with jargons used in narcotic trade.

Responding further to questions from Acting Director of Public Prosecution, Tagor denied owning six houses located at various parts of Accra.

He further denied owning a Hummer and Dodge pickup cars but admitted leasing a house situated at East Legon for ¢446 million to which he paid a 10% tax which had expired last month.

Accused person further admitted that his company, Crossmaqui had his mother, wife and him as directors and secretary adding that it had collapsed.

He denied also that the residence address used in registering the company by both him and his mother was not owned by him.

Tagor and Alhaji Issah Abass are facing four and three counts respectively of dealing in narcotic drugs, conspiracy to deal in prohibited business, namely narcotic drugs, supplying, buying, and crediting, contrary to the Narcotic Drugs law.

They have pleaded not guilty to all the charges leveled against them.

Earlier, the two had been charged together with Victor Kisseh, alias Yaw Billah, Alhaji Moro Mohammed, and Kwabena Acheampong, who was later, discharged before trial begun at the FTC.

The court adjourned to July 24, 2007, for continuation