Tribunal remands binder for possessing Indian hemp

Accra, July 8, GNA - A book binder who was among a group of people that arrested a thief and sent him to the Ministries Police Station in Accra, was on Friday brought to court for possessing dried leaves suspected to be Indian Hemp.

Abraham Boateng was arrested after a search on him following an offensive conduct he exhibited at the Police Station. He was alleged to have shouted: "I know the Police would collect money from the thief and leave him." Boateng was said to have stated further that the next time a thief was caught in the area, he would be lynched and not be sent to the Police Station.

Boateng, 31, also a hawker, was charged with possessing narcotic drug. His plea was not taken and he will reappear on July 20. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) George Abavelim told the tribunal, presided over by Mr Justice Frank Manu that on July 2, Boateng was among a group of people who sent a suspected thief to the Police Station.

He said when the suspect was being interrogated, Boateng started shouting profanities casting insinuations at the Police.

ASP Abavelim stated that since the police could no longer contain the offensive conduct of Boateng, the Station Officer instructed Sergeant Major James Achalla of the Police Station to arrest him. He said when a search was conducted, one wrapper of dried leaves suspected to be Indian Hemp was found in his bag. According to DSP Abavelim, the exhibit has been sent to the crime laboratory for examination.