Lawyer for alleged drug-baron Asem Darkey withdraws service
Defence counsel for Sheriff Asem Darkey an alleged drug baron has withdrawn his services, an Accra Fast Track High Court on Thursday said.
According to the court presided over by Mr Mustapha Habib Logoh, Mr George Heward-Mills had filed a notice before the court stating the withdrawal of service to Darkey.
Darkey, who was to open his defence, said he was unaware that his counsel had withdrawn his services.
The court, therefore, adjourned the matter to December 12 to enable Darkey open his defence.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI) has denied that Darkey aka limping man has been denied visits from his relatives.
The BNI noted apart from Darkey’s wife whose visits were given a second look in the last two weeks, he (Darkey) was the most visited suspect in their cells, according to their records.
“’Concerning the accused’s wife, our investigations led to the revelation that anytime she visits her husband the couple engage in unacceptable body contact that makes nonsense of the strict rules of conduct set by the Bureau,” it added.
The BNI said for breaching our rules, accused wife was refused the visit that time she showed up while other family members continue to visit him.
The BNI was reacting to claims that Darkey could not contact his lawyer because it had denied him visitors through whom he could contact his lawyer
Darkey was arrested over the disappearance of 77 parcels of cocaine in 2006.
The accused person has been charged with conspiracy, importation and exportation of narcotic drugs following his arrest on February 2, after going into hiding in 2006.
He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and has since been on remand. Darkey was indicted for allegedly paying 3,000 dollars to a detective sergeant to facilitate his escape.
The prosecution’s case is that on April 26, 2006, a vessel, MV Benjamin, reportedly carrying about 77 parcels of cocaine docked at Kpone/Tema and discharged it into a waiting vehicle.
The disappearance of the cocaine led to the constitution of the Georgina Wood committee and the subsequent trial of persons alleged to have played various roles.
Source: GNA