Judge abhors slow investigations in narcotic cases

An Accra Circuit Court Judge, Mr. Iddrisu Mohamadu, has bemoaned the seemingly slow pace of investigation and trial of narcotic drug cases in the country.

The Judge was lamenting in a case in which 13 persons have been arraigned before his court for allegedly possessing dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.

His howling followed a statement by the investigator of the case that the police was yet to ascertain whether the suspected drug was Indian hemp or not, although the substances were sent to police forensic laboratory since June 29, 2008.

The Judge observed that as security and law enforcement agencies, the police and the courts must be seen by the public to be acting with zeal and high sense of urgency in fighting the increasing rate of drug menace in the country.

He said he had a duty to perform in convicting or acquitting and discharging the accused persons based on facts and evidence before him and therefore nothing should be done to delay justice in the case, adding that "we must all set the machinery of justice rolling and rolling fast", as the accused persons have a right to know their fate as early as possible.

"We need to be very proactive. If we find out that the substances are not what they are, the accused should get their freedom," the Judge posited.

The accused persons were Frank Gyamfi, Shaffic Musah, Mohammed Sidi, Ndola Billa; Oppong Antwe; Jelilu Awudu; Yaw Kingsley, Adamu Mohammed and Kojo Atamfiri. Others included Kwadwo Amoanu, Issifu Baba, Eric Tetteh and Kwabena Mensah.

They all pleaded not guilty and were remanded in prison custody to re-appear on August 11, 2008.

Prosecuting Inspector Ofori Amanfo told the court that on June 29, 2008, a joint police and military team embarked on an anti narcotic drug operation within the Accra metropolis.

He said during the operation, the team arrested the accused persons with various quantities of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp and were brought to the Police Headquarters together with the substances, the exhibits for the investigation.

According to him the exhibits had since been forwarded to the forensic science laboratory for examination.