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Judgement on MV Benjamin case not
ready
Accra, July 8, Ghanadot/GNA – An Accra Fast Track High Court
which was to deliver its verdict on five persons, including
the owner of MV Benjamin vessel, which was allegedly used in
carting 77 parcels of cocaine, on Tuesday adjourned the case
to July 23.
Though the court did not sit, sources close to it said the
judgement was not ready.
Joseph Kojo Dawson is the vessel owner while the crew
include Isaac Arhin, a 49-year-old sailor, Philip Kobina
Bruce Arhin, a 47 year-old-mechanic, Cui Xing Li, a 44-year
old Chinese sailor and Luo Yin Xing, a 49-year-old sailor.
Isaac Arhin, Philip Arhin, Cui and Luo are charged for
possessing narcotic drugs without authority and engaging in
prohibited business.
Dawson, who is also the Managing Director of Dashment
Company Limited, who is being held for using his property
for narcotic offence and Pak are facing the charge of
engaging in prohibited business relating to narcotics.
They all pleaded not guilty and have since November 2006
been remanded into prison custody.
The court on October 16, 2007 acquitted and discharged Pak
Bok Sil, a 46 year-old Korean Engineer because the
prosecution failed to make a case him.
However, the court, presided over Mr Justice Anin Yeboah, a
Supreme Court judge, asked the five other accused persons to
open their defence after the prosecution had called 13
witnesses to make a case against them.
The two-year old trial would be the last in a series of the
cases in the MV Benjamin saga which has already dragged five
persons to jail, including Kwabena Amaning, aka Tagor,
Alhaji Issa Abbas and three policemen.
According to the prosecution, on February 6, 2006 Dawson,
who is also a businessman, indirectly without lawful
authority and with the intention of facilitating an
enterprise relating to narcotic drugs, did allow one Asem
Dake, a.k.a. Sheriff, to use his vessel (MV Benjamin/MV
AdedeII) to import 77 parcels each containing 30 kilograms
of cocaine into the country without a licence issued by the
Ministry of Health.
Pak is also said to have repaired the vessel to facilitate
the transportation of the 77 parcels of cocaine from
Takoradi to Tema.
Isaac, Philip, Cui and Luo on April 27, 2006, who were on
board the MV Benjamin vessel, allegedly had in their
possession one parcel containing 30 slabs of cocaine each
weighing about one kilogram.
GNA
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