The Accra High Court has directed state prosecutors to expedite their investigations to enable the plea of Uchechukwu Chima, a 56-year-old Court orders prosecution to hasten investigations in $2.1m drug case involving Nigerian suspectnational, to be taken after spending weeks on remand.
Chima is facing trial after a Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) operation uncovered 192 kilograms of cocaine and 0.42 kilograms of heroin, with an estimated street value of $2.1 million, at his hideout in Oyarifa, Accra.
During court proceedings on Monday, April 14, lead prosecutor Watson Adama requested additional time to file new charges, citing the recent receipt of a critical report from the Ghana Standards Authority.
“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.
However, the presiding judge expressed frustration over the prosecution’s delays, warning that she would not tolerate the prolonged detention of the accused. She further reminded the court that the Narcotics Control Commission has the authority to grant bail.
In response, counsel for the accused, Paul Asigi Abariga, urged the court to proceed with the plea based on the existing charges, suggesting the prosecution could later substitute the charge sheet once it is amended.
