THE REPUBLIC vs. G/L/CPL EKOW RUSSEL

The accused and Maxwell Antwi were charged together with possession of Narcotic Drugs without Lawful authority, Supply of Narcotic drug, and Prohibited business relating to Narcotic Drugs all contrary to the Narcotic Drugs (Control, Enforcement and Sanctions) Law, PNDCL 236. The accused pleaded Not Guilty but Maxwell Antwi pleaded Guilty and was convicted and sentenced to 10 years I.H.L. Hearing commenced and the Prosecution called six witnesses. On the 29th October 2008, the Police Investigator, Chief Inspector Michael Happy Addae testified and when he sought to tender the caution statements of the accused dated the 28th March 2007, 14th April 2007 and that of 26th April 2007, Counsel for the accused objected to their tendering on the following grounds:- 1. That the accused was not allowed to write his statement. 2. The statements were not made voluntarily. 3. The statements were not made in the presence of independent witness. 4. The accused signed the statements from a promis...