After weeks on remand, the Accra High Court ordered state prosecutors to speed up their investigations so that the 56-year-old Uchechukwu Chima’s plea could be taken.
The case involves a $2.1 million narcotics case involving a Nigerian suspect citizen.
A Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) investigation at Chima’s hideout in Oyarifa, Accra, found 192 kilograms of cocaine and 0.42 kilograms of heroin, valued at an estimated $2.1 million on the black market. Chima is now facing trial.
Due to the recent receipt of a damning report from the Ghana Standards Authority, lead prosecutor Watson Adama asked for more time to file new charges during Monday, April 14, court proceedings.
“I have received a copy of the report from the Ghana Standards Authority. In light of this, I respectfully request time to prepare a new charge sheet so the accused’s plea can be taken,” Adama pleaded with the court.
The presiding judge, however, voiced her displeasure with the prosecution’s hold-ups and threatened to not put up with the accused’s protracted imprisonment. She also reminded the court that bail can be granted by the Narcotics Control Commission.
Paul Asigi Abariga, the accused’s attorney, responded by urging the court to accept the plea based on the current charges, implying that the prosecution could later replace the charge sheet when it has been revised.
Source: newsthemegh.com