In a recent development, two Nigerian nationals have been brought before an Accra Circuit Court on charges of possessing significant quantities of cannabis and methamphetamine. Daniel Njuoku, a 37-year-old businessman, was found in possession of a substantial amount of cannabis weighing 28,844.60 grams, while Lucky Igbojoinu, a labourer, was charged with possessing methamphetamine with a net weight of 10.8100 grams.
The arrests were made following intelligence gathered by the Police at a hotel located at Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra. Njuoku was charged with the unlawful control of narcotic drugs, while Igbojoinu faced charges of unlawful possession of narcotic drugs. Both individuals have pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.
During the court proceedings presided over by Mrs Susuana Eduful, the accused persons were granted bail in the sum of GHC50,000 each, with two sureties each. The court also ordered the prosecution to file their disclosures and adjourned the matter to May 2, 2024.
According to the prosecution led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Lawrence Kofi Anane, the arrests were made by personnel from the Underground Intelligence Unit of the Ghana Police Service, Accra. The operation resulted in the apprehension of the accused persons and two others at Chisco Hotel near Kwame Nkrumah Circle, Accra.
The prosecution revealed that during the operation, Njuoku, who had traveled from Nigeria and was staying at the hotel, was found in possession of various quantities of dried plant materials suspected to be narcotic drugs concealed in a fertilizer sack. Similarly, Igbojoinu was arrested at the same hotel compound with plain rubber wraps containing crystal substances believed to be narcotic drugs concealed in a box labeled "MASTAR BILLIARD CHALK."
Upon interrogation, Njuoku claimed ownership of all the recovered exhibits, while Igbojoinu alleged that he was sent by an individual named Ketche to purchase the exhibits from another person named Justice. However, he failed to provide information leading to the arrest of Ketche and Justice.
Further investigations led to the submission of all recovered exhibits to the Police Forensic Science Laboratory for examination and report. The examination confirmed that the exhibits recovered from Njuoku contained cannabis with a net weight of 28,844.60 grams, while those recovered from Igbojoinu contained methamphetamine with a net weight of 10.8100 grams.
Based on these findings, the accused persons were formally charged with the offense. The case is set to unfold as further legal proceedings take place in the Accra Circuit Court. This incident underscores the ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and illicit drug trade within the region.
-source GNA | curated by Tetteh Belinda | GhanaCrimes
