Accra, April 26, GNA - An Accra Fast Track High Court on Thursday discharged Prince Tsibu-Darko, 49, owner of the Koreana Hotel in Tema, who was being held for an alleged drug related offence. His discharge followed the filing a nolle prosequi by the Attorney General demanding the discontinuation of the case.

When the case was called, the court drew the attention of the defence to a nolle prosequi, which was signed by Mrs Yvonne Attakora Obuobisa, a Senior State Attorney. Mrs Obuobisa told the court that on April 25, the Attorney General filed a nolle prosequi indicating that proceedings against the accused person be discontinued.

Mr Yonni Kulendi, one of the counsel or Tsibu-Darko, said it was regrettable that prosecution did not see that until now. He therefore prayed the court to discharge him and submitted that the court should release the property of Tsibu-Darko, which was confiscated by the state.

The court, presided over by Mr Justice Jones Dotse, a Court of Appeal judge ruled: "With the filing of the nolle prosequi, it is the view of the court that accused was entitled to an immediate discharge." It said a previous ruling by the court directing the medical director of Nyaho Medical Centre to keep an open communication on the health of the accused person "is vacated."

In relation to Tsibu-Darko's property, the court urged defence counsel to bring a formal application or take it up from the Serious Fraud Office.

Tsibu-Darko was alleged to have exported 3,700 kilograms of cocaine to an European country in the middle of 2005, which was intercepted and seized.

Tsibu-Darko, who also owns Kamoney Forex Bureau in Tema, pleaded not guilty to carrying out prohibited business relating to narcotic drugs.

He appeared before the Circuit Court earlier on the same charges and battled for bail to no avail until the Fast Track High court admitted him to bail on health grounds.