Asem Darkey To Call Witnesses To Make His Case Out

Christian Sheriff Asem Darkey, an alleged drug baron involved in the disappearance of the 76 parcels of cocaine on board the MV Benjamin vessel, on Monday said he heard that the Ghana Police Service had declared him wanted. Darkey said he reported at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital so he could be healed of his ailment before surrendering to the Police after leaving the shores of Ghana in 2006. Concluding his cross-examination administered by Mrs Yvonne Atakora Obuobisah, Principal State Attorney, Darkey said he reported to the Korle- Bu Teaching Hospital because he had been told that half of his lungs were destroyed. The accused person has been charged with conspiracy, importation and exportation of narcotic drugs, following his arrest on February 2, 2012, after going into hiding in 2006. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and has since been on remand. Darkey was indicted for allegedly paying 3,000 dollars to a detective sergeant to facilitate his escape. According to him doctors of the hospital contended that he needed an emergency operation else his ailment would affect the rest of his lungs. Darkey told prosecution to cross check that information with authorities of the hospital. Darkey, who claimed to be a fisherman denied that he was the main architect behind the importation of the 77 parcels of cocaine into the country. The accused refuted prosecution�s assertion that he gave out dollars to fisherman and policemen so he could escape arrest. Darkey admitted that dealing in narcotic drugs was prohibited by the laws of Ghana pointing out that: �I did not import the 77 parcels of cocaine.�� The accused person disagreed with prosecution that he did not surrender to the Police because of his role in the drugs business. Darkey further refuted prosecution�s claims that he had a hidden compartment at his residence in Tema. According to him he did not create any compartment in his room adding: �I only rented the four bedroom house without creating any hidden compartment. The house had been built already and there was no way I could create any compartment.�� On the charter and agreement relating to the transfer of MV Benjamin Vessel, Darkey denied that he (Darkey) took over the vessel (MV Benjamin) after an agreement had been signed. According to him there was no transfer of documents in relation to the sale of MV Benjamin to him, stressing that, the vessel had developed an electrical fault and was docked at Takoradi in the Western Region. Darkey admitted that he knew one Alfred Nii Sowah, a taxi driver and witness saying he (Sowah) was a friend who took his (Darkey�s dogs to the Veterinary. The accused person denied that on April 26, 2006, he sent Sowah to pick up some visitors from Kpone Beach to his (Darkey�s) house at Tema. Meanwhile, Darkey�s lawyer, Mr Isaac Aidoo said they would be calling witnesses to make their case. The matter was therefore adjourned to February 11.