One of the accused persons in the ongoing cocaine trial, Alhaji Issa Abass, on Wednesday sharply rebutted claims by the prosecution that he was a cocaine dealer. He said he was a genuine businessman and it was, therefore, not true that he used to sell cocaine for Mr. Ben Ndego, an official of the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB). Answering questions under cross examination by Ms Gertrude Aikins, a Chief State Attorney, the accused person said, "I was not an agent for Ben. I am not a cocaine dealer. I am a genuine businessman and even the Attorney General, Mr Joe Ghartey, and Mr Osei Aidoo were my lawyers in my fishing business." "If I were a dealer, I would not be supplying the police cars," he continued. He also denied a suggestion by the prosecution that he was envious of Sheriff Asem Dakeh, alias The Limping Man, the alleged importer of the 77 parcels of cocaine, and that was why he (Abass) gave the police a lead for his arrest. Alhaji Abass is facing two counts of conspiracy and supply of narcotic drugs, while Kwabena Amaning, alias Tagor, the other accused person, has been charged with four counts of conspiracy, engaging in prohibited business related to narcotic drugs, buying of narcotic drugs and supplying narcotic drugs. They have pleaded not guilty to all the counts and have been refused bail by the Accra Fast Track High, which is hearing the case. Initially, Kwabena Acheampong, Tagor, Alhaji Abass, Victor Kisseh, alias Yaw Billah, and Alhaji Moro Mohammed were arraigned at the Accra Circuit Court for allegedly dealing in narcotic drugs. Some of them were said to have engaged in a conversation relating to the missing cocaine on board the MV Benjamin at the residence of ACP Kofi Boakye, the subject of which led to the setting up of the Justice Georgina Wood Committee. However, on Wednesday, November 22, 2006, the prosecution entered a nolle prosequi (not willing to prosecute), resulting in the discharge of the accused persons. But fresh charges were preferred against Tagor and Abass, leading to their appearance at the Fast Track High Court. Continuing his evidence, Alhaji Abass said the police, including the former Greater Accra Regional Crime Officer, Mr Bright Oduro, Inspector Justice Oppong, Sergeant Asante and an ex-police officer, Mr Patrick Yidana, sought his assistance for Sheriff's arrest. He said he assisted the police, as a patriotic citizen of Ghana, by tasking two young men to help them to arrest Sheriff. It was, therefore, not true that he was envious of Sheriff. When the prosecution suggested that he did not do the recording at ACP Boakye's residence, Abass insisted he was responsible for the recording, adding that it was, therefore, not true that Ndego would state that he (Ndego) did not know anything about the recording. "Ben knows I taped the conversation," he stated, pointing out that he was a truthful witness who always spoke the truth. He explained that he was tight-lipped on the recording at the Justice Georgina Wood Committee because NACOB officials had told him to keep the recording a secret. If they had not arrested us, the whole truth would have come out," Abass stated, in apparent reference to his arrest when he appeared to testify for the fourth time at the Justice Georgina Wood Committee. Asked why he had not disclosed the recording to Inspector Oppong, who was then the investigator in the case, Abass questioned, "Would you tell a police investigator that you recorded his boss?" adding that he did not disclose the recording to Inspector Oppong because he did not feel comfortable confiding in him. Abass said he and Tagoe spoke at the meeting to create the impression that they dealt in narcotic drugs in order to lure ACP Boakye to talk. He disagreed with the prosecution that he and Tagor rehearsed before giving evidence to the court. Abass said he received calls threatening his life after he had recorded the meeting and subsequently lodged a complaint at the Community 2 Police, with a Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) official and a guy whom he only mentioned as Ahmed. He told the court that his Greek partners gave him three vessels to operate on their behalf and, therefore, denied a suggestion that he owned the vessels. Abass further stated that he owned two houses, not four, as was suggested by the prosecution. Hearing continues on Tuesday, July 31, 2007. Source: Daily Graphic