Ken Attafuah raises questions on 'baking soda' cocaine exhibit

Prof. Ken Attafuah

Criminologist Ken Attafuah has raised doubts about the authenticity of a substance tendered in evidence at an Accra circuit court as a cocaine exhibit but which metamorphosed into sodium bicarbonate.

The exhibit which was said to have been tendered in evidence at a hearing after a sample tested proved positive for cocaine, however turned into sodium bicarbonate under mysterious circumstances.

Government has since ordered the Bereau of National Investigations, (BNI) to investigate the issue while Chief Justice has also set up a committee to probe the case.

But Mr Ken Attafuah, speaking on Citi FM's Eyewitness news Wednesday, underscored the need to establish whether or not the substance as presented in court was cocaine before it was tendered into the custody of the judiciary.

“I think for me the critical question that arises is whether the substance that was tendered in court and submitted as evidence was indeed cocaine…

“It's a critical question and it raises serious issues about the integrity of expert testimony in some circumstances and the extent to which the judicial service can protect itself in future against such potential allegation,” he stated.

Mr Attafuah said Ghana will be in serious trouble if the integrity of the judiciary is called into question.

“…How sure are we that it was not swapped before it was submitted to the court?…I do not know the answer to that question but I think it is an important investigative question.”

Story by Ghana/myjoyonline.com/Dorcas Efe Mensah