Accra (Greater Accra Region), 11 Nov. 1998 William Odamptey, a 19-year-old sprayer, today appeared before an Accra circuit tribunal charged with possessing Indian hemp.

He pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody to reappear on Wednesday, December two, this year.

With him in the dock is Sanda Mohammed, a 23-year-old labourer, who pleaded not guilty to aiding and abetting Odamptey to commit the crime, and was remanded to reappear on the same day.

Police Inspector Kofi Adu told the tribunal, chaired by Mr Charles K. Nyewolema, that on November four, this year, Odamptey sent food to a suspect at the Kotobabi police cells.

The prosecution said when the police sergeant on duty examined the food, he discovered that it contained a wrapper of Indian hemp and a stick of cigarette.

When the Sergeant showed Odamptey the Indian hemp, he attempted to run away but was arrested.

In his caution statement to the police, Odamptey mentioned Mohammed as the person who asked him to send the food to the suspect, the prosecution added.