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John Kwabena Dawson, father of Kojo Dawson, the owner of MV Benjamin which was used in importing 77 missing parcels of cocaine from Guinea, yesterday openly testified against Asem Sheriff Dake, the alleged importer. He told the Accra Fast Track High Court presided over by Justice Habib Logoh that Sheriff chartered the vessel for 60 days at $150,000 and tendered documents on the charter agreement to the court in evidence. The witness, who said these in his evidence in-chief led by Mrs. Yvonne Obuobisa, a principal state attorney, also said there was a sales agreement between them for the sale of the vessel after the charter at $250,000 and noted that this was done through a lawyer called Lumor. Mr. Dawson, who is the former boss of Dashment Company, the company that chartered the vessel to Sheriff, also noted that Sheriff did not pay the money directly to them because of a hire purchase agreement between them and a certain Mr. Bier, the original owner. During cross-examination by George Heward-Mills, the witness said he was the boss of Dashment Company for 14 years. Counsel for Sheriff sought to challenge the assertion by the witness that he was the boss of Dashment for 14 years, to which Mr. Dawson said he was till he retired from the company in 2005. Mr. Heward-Mills asked the witness whether the vessel was handed over to Asem Dake, to which he said his son handed it over to the accused person. Counsel said because Sheriff did not pay directly into the accounts of the company, it amounted to a breach of contract, to which the witness said he was not a lawyer. Mr. Heward-Mills said there was no way the vessel could be handed over to his client, to which the witness said it was. Other witnesses have also testified in chambers. Sheriff is facing five charges for the alleged importation of the 77 parcels which have since landed eight persons in jail. The accused person has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit crime, importation of narcotic drugs without lawful authority, possession of narcotic drugs without licence, dealing in prohibited business and corruption of public officer.