Nayele Ametefe saga:Circuit court adjourns narcotic case involving 6 suspects 

A Circuit court in Accra has adjourned to January 21 the high profile narcotic case involving six suspects in connection with convict Nayele Ametefe's cocaine saga. 

The adjournment is at the instance of the state as investigations into the case have not been concluded. 

Chief state attorney, Penelope Ann Marmattah, said the impression being
created in the public that the case is on trial is misleading. 

She observed that the practice normally requires a police prosecutor prosecuting, adding that the Attorney General's office is prosecuting
because of the high profile nature of the case. 

Ms Marmattah said a decision has not yet been taken as to whether the case will go on trial or not, noting that the case is still under investigation. 

The defence team prayed the court to urge the prosecution to speed up the
investigations. 

They submitted that if suspects have been charged it presupposes that some levels of investigations have been conducted which should be enough for the state to commence trial. 

They countered the argument that the primary culprit in the whole 12.5 kg of cocaine saga, Nayele, has been sentenced to eight years imprisonment while there is no indication of commencing trial in the current case now.

They prayed for a four week adjournment by which time the prosecution should have conducted extensive investigation but were denied by the court.  

Presiding judge, Francis Obiri, intimated that conviction and sentence of the Ghanaian courier Nayele, does not in any way imply that trial of the suspects before his court should have started.  

Abiel Ashitey Armah a Foreign Service officer, Abubakar Mohammed, Theophilus Kissi and Alhaji Mohammed Dawud are facing a count each for abetment while the two females described as friends of Nayele are charged with conspiracy to export narcotics. 

All six suspects have pleaded not guilty to the charges and are on a hundred
thousand cedi bail each with three sureties with a justification.

Lawyer for the suspects Frank Davies spoke to journalists after
proceedings.

GBC