Mr. Ray Kakraba-Quarshie, counsel for Frank Benneh, a former diplomat charged with dealing in narcotic drugs, asked an Accra Regional Tribunal to acquit and discharge his client because the prosecution has not proved the charge.
Mr. Kakraba-Quarshie made the call when he made a submission of “no case” in favour of his client after the prosecution had announced that it had closed its case. Benneh, who was serving in Switzerland, has pleaded not guilty and he is on a 10 million-cedi bail.
The Swiss Police arrested Benneh in 1996 with some foreign nationals resident in Geneva for allegedly dealing in cocaine. Benneh who was brought o Ghana, after negotiations with the Swiss authorities for his release and trial in Ghana.
Mr. Kakraba-Quarshie said the prosecution failed to call vital witnesses from Switzerland to testify as to how Benneh committed the offence and was arrested. He said the prosecution told the court that his client committed the offence with some foreign nationals, who were also arrested by the Swiss Police. Counsel submitted that the prosecution called neither any of the accomplices nor a member of the team that arrested him to give evidence. Mr. Kakraba-Quarshie, therefore, urged the court to acquit and discharge him.
The prosecution is however due to reply to the submissions on July 23.
