Accra (Greater Accra Region) 7 Oct. 1998 The case in which Frank Benneh, a former diplomat is charged with dealing in cocaine, has been adjourned till October 13 at the instance of the defence.

When the case was called, Mr J. K. Yeboah, junior counsel for Benneh informed the Regional Tribunal, which is trying the case that his senior, Mr Ray Kakraba-Quarshie was unable to attend court and pleaded that the case be adjourned.

The tribunal, chaired by Mr. Justice Wright Mensah obliged and when the prosecution said it had no objection.

Benneh has pleaded not guilty to five counts of dealing in cocaine while he was in the foreign service in Switzerland. He is on a 10 million cedis bail.

At the last adjourned date three weeks ago, Mr Kofi Bentum Quantson, Executive Director of the Narcotic Control Board, a prosecution witness was under cross-examination by defence counsel.

The court had to adjourn the case to October 7 to enable Mr Quantson to produce the English version of a report compiled by the Swiss Police on Benneh.

The case for the prosecution is that, sometime in 1996, the Swiss Police arrested Benneh for the offence and asked the Ghana Government to strip off his diplomatic immunity so that he could be tried in Switzerland.

The government sent Mr Quantson to Switzerland to investigate the allegation against Benneh and arrange for his release so that he could be prosecuted in Ghana.

Mr Quantson brought Benneh to Ghana and he was consequently put before the tribunal for trial.

GRi