The Accra High Court has ordered prosecutors to expedite investigations in order for the plea of suspect, Uchechukwu Chima to be taken after being on remand for weeks.
The 56-year-old Nigerian is standing trial after the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) operation led to the discovery of 192kg of cocaine and 0.42kg of heroin worth $2.1million with him in his hideout at Oyarifa in Accra.
In court on Monday, April 14, the prosecution led by Watson Adama pleaded with the court for more time to be able to file new charges.
He noted that a document from the Ghana Standards Authority had just been handed over to the prosecution and hence would need time to file the charges.
“I have received a copy of the report from the Ghana Standards Authority. In the light of that I pray for the opportunity to file a new charge sheet for the plea of the accused to be taken,” Watkins pleaded.
But the presiding judge in the matter chastised the prosecution for the delay with the investigations.
She noted that she would not countenance the continuous holding of the accused person on remand since the Narcotics Control Commission had the power to admit him to bail.
Counsel for the accused person, Paul Asigi Abariga then prayed that the plea of his client be taken using the charges before the court. He noted that the prosecution could substitute the charge sheet with the amended one when they were done.
After listening to both counsels, the judge adjourned the case to April 17 for the prosecution to amend the charges but not without cautioning them.
She noted that another delay by the prosecution leading to the continuous incarceration of the accused person without his plea taken will cause her to throw out the docket.
Background
According to the Narcotics Control Commission the suspect Uchechukwu Chima had been under surveillance for some time and is believed to be linked to several past drug-related seizures and arrests in Ghana.
“NACOC, through this seizure, has removed a substantial quantity of drugs from circulation, preventing countless lives from being ruined by drug abuse,” the Commission said in a statement signed by Francis Opoku Amoah, Acting Director of Public Affairs and International Relations.
