The Accra Circuit Court, presided over by Her Honour Susana Eduful, has granted bail in the sum of GH¢50,000 with two sureties to a 27-year-old trader, Emmanuel Kofi Asare, who is standing trial for allegedly possessing a narcotic plant without lawful authority.
Asare has been charged with unlawful possession of a narcotic plant, contrary to Section 41(2)(a) of the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019).
According to court documents, the accused was arrested on March 24, 2025, by the La District Police Patrol Team at La Wireless, following a tip-off that some individuals were peddling narcotic substances in the area. Upon arrival, the police arrested Asare with plant materials suspected to be narcotic substances in his possession. Other suspects reportedly fled the scene.
During proceedings, Asare alleged that he was arrested alongside a friend and that officers demanded GH¢4,000 from them to secure their release.
He claimed his friend paid the said amount and was freed, while his own offer of GH¢1,500 was rejected, leading to his arraignment before the court.
Taking note of the allegations, the trial judge ordered the Crime Officer of the La Police Station, ASP Ben Punalar, to appear before the court to respond to the claims made against his men.
The case has been adjourned to May 7, 2025.
Brief Facts
Chief Inspector Teye, who is leading the prosecution, told the court that the complainant and witnesses are police personnel stationed at the La Police Station.
He said that on March 24, 2025, while the La District Police Patrol Team was on duty, they received intelligence about suspicious activities involving narcotic substances at a location in the La Wireless area.
The patrol team moved to the location and arrested the accused with a quantity of plant materials suspected to be narcotics. Several other individuals reportedly managed to escape.
The accused was taken to the police station along with the suspected substances to assist with investigations. The materials have since been forwarded to the Forensic Laboratory for testing.
Asare was later charged and brought before the court.
