<<Print>>

Business mogul, Ibrahim Mahama, has instructed his lawyers to sue the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central in the Central Region, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, over his claim that he is a cocaine dealer. The Engineers and Planners (E&P) boss, younger brother of the president, John Dramani Mahama, is outraged over the MP�s claim that he (Ibrahim) associates with drug barons and has links with the self-confessed drug smuggler, Nayele Ametefe, who yesterday pleaded guilty to smuggling 12.5 kilos of cocaine to the United Kingdom (UK). Amidst thunderous laughter, Ibrahim Mahama, is reported to have questioned why the NPP MP, knows all cocaine dealers in this country, while repeatedly denying accusation that he peddles narcotic drugs, and made his fortunes from the illicit business. Mr. Agyapong, is on record to have accused owner of Multi Media Group, Mother Company of Joy FM, Kwesi Twum, of dabbling in the illegal drug business and linked him to one Jones who resides in Bronze � New York in the United States of America (USA), as his accomplice. Again, the loud-mouthed politician, few months ago, on hearing of the arrest of another Ghanaian and hotelier, David Kojo Anim, admitted he was a bosom friend of the Le Baron Hotel owner, saying he could not denied their friendship just because he has been arrested with drugs in the UK. Mr. Agyapong at the time, revealed that it was Mr. Anim, who supplied the Akufo-Addo-NPP 2012 campaign with over 100 motorbikes. Few days ago, the legislator in granting series of interviews on the arrest of Ms. Ametefe, alias Ruby Adu-Gyamfi, alias Ruby Appiah, at the Heathrow Airport in London, admitted yet again of knowing her and her two partners in crime � Sadalia Nuhu and Nana Akua Amposah � very well as drug couriers, and that Ruby is a friend of Mr. Ibrahim Mahama and Dr. Stephen Opuni of Cocoa Board (COCOBOD). The NPP MP, was also quoted in the Daily Guide newspaper as knowing where Sadalia Nuhu and Nana Akua Amposah were hiding, and that they were in Togo. The Herald�s phone call and text messages to Mr. Ibrahim Mahama, could not yield any results. A source close to him, who revealed his intention to drag the NPP MP to court soon, said Ibrahim is not ready to join the dirty media bunter. In fact, while the source was speaking to this reporter, Ibrahim Mahama, was heard playing with his toy cars and airplane, amidst laughter. The source denied Mr. Ibrahim Mahama�s involvement in cocaine, adding that Mr. Mahama, indulges in only lawful businesses. The source who was so sure of the E&P boss, dared Mr. Agyapong that if he claims he has money, he should try he (Mr. Mahama) and give him just US$50, 000. �Ibrahim, will teach him how to make better money by buying earthmoving machines and multiply it for him in two years to US$1 million�. According to the source, Mr. Mahama is surprised that the MP, who some few months ago, publicly commended him highly on radio for being successful in his field of work, � mines construction and rental of mine equipment � and being the first Ghanaian to own a private jet, will almost immediately turn round to accuse him of dabbling in cocaine business. The insider said, the action of Mr. Agyapong, did not make sense to Ibrahim and hoped that probably when he is sent to court, he would be able to make some sense there. Ghana�s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hannah Tetteh ,in an interview with Radio Gold on Tuesday, said that Nayele Ametefeh, told officials from Ghana�s High Commission in the UK that she was given what she believed to be gold by an unknown person, while onboard a British Airways flight from Accra to the UK. According to Citi FM�s Philip Ashon, who was in court in the UK, the court refrained from stating the exact amount of the substance, due to ongoing forensic analysis. According to prosecution, led by Ravinder John, Ms. Ametefeh , will get a minimum of 10 years and if the substance is in excess of 10kg, she will get more. During yesterday�s hearing, the prosecutor revealed that Ms. Ametefeh, told border patrol officers that she was in the country (UK) �for shopping.� Prosecutor Ravinder John, also said that the woman was born in Ghana and lived in Austria and has also lived in Ghana for a period of time. Ms. Ametefe, appeared before the Crown Court at Isleworth via a video link. The case has been adjourned to January 5, 2015, for sentencing. Ametefeh�s arrest and subsequent trial, have generated huge controversy in Ghana. A total of twelve people have been arrested in Ghana in connection with the case. The Narcotics Control Board (NACOB), has come under intense criticism for failing to prevent the drugs from leaving the country, even though it claims it collaborated with the British government on this bust. Official reports, indicate that she managed to travel with the huge quantity of cocaine through the VIP lounge at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA). The Minority in Parliament, have called for a bi-partisan committee to investigate circumstances under which Ametefeh had access to the VIP lounge.