Prosecutor shows up after court ultimatum

Page 3: Daily Graphic, November 28, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE prosecutor in the 71.45 kilogrammes Tema cocaine case on Thursday showed up in court after the Accra Fast Track High Court had on Wednesday given him a 24-hour ultimatum to start prosecuting the case or have its case closed.
The trial judge, Mr Justice Samuel Marful-Sau, issued the ultimatum after the prosecutor in the case had indicated in a letter that he was unable to report in court because he was attending a training programme which began on Tuesday and was expected to end yesterday.
But at its sitting yesterday, Mr Asiamah Sampong, the prosecutor, showed up in court, during which two witnesses, Mr J. L. Otopah of the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) and Mrs Dorcas Wilson of Maersk Shipping Lines, testified.
The case has been adjourned to Monday, November 30, 2009, on which two more witnesses are scheduled to testify for the state.
Last Wednesday, Mr Sampong, in a letter, prayed the court to adjourn the matter to Thursday, December 3, 2009 but the court asked whether the prosecution was trying to dictate to it.
Mr Justice Marful-Sau said the prosecutor should have informed the court earlier about his inability to attend court and further indicated that the court would have no option but allow the alleged importer of the cocaine, Augustina Abu, to open her defence.
Augustina has been charged with importing narcotic drugs without lawful authority but she has denied any wrongdoing.