Atemuda suspects granted bail

April 10, 2012 (Page 3) THE Fast Track High in Accra has granted bail totalling GHC60, 000 to six persons, who allegedly sell alcohol laced with Indian Hemp, popularly known as “Atemuda” They were each granted bail in the sum of GHC10, 000 with a surety each. The court, presided over by Mr. Justice K. A. Ofori-Atta, ordered the accused persons to report to the Cantoments Police Station on Wednesdays. The Accra Circuit Court on March 28, 2012 remanded in custody, Joe Krampah, 56; Patricia Ekua Segoe alias Segua, 40 owner of Anadwo Ye De spot at Dansoman; Jerry Lindsay, 63, proprietor of Jerris Spot, East Legon; Nana Hemaa Bamfo, a banker and owner of Chrisdas Drinking Bar at Abelemkpe; Kwabena Naba, 54, owner of Naabasan Drinking Bar and Osei Kofi, 45 operator of Captain’s Spot, all at East Legon. Krampah faced two counts of engaging in prohibited business related to narcotic drugs, failing to register herbal and homeopathic drugs while the other accused persons faced a count each of deception of consumers. They all pleaded not guilty to the charges but were refused bail by the court, presided over by Miss Audrey Korcuvie-Tay. Dissatisfied with the lower court’s decision, counsel for the accused persons, Mr. George Asamani, applied for bail on behalf of the accused persons at the Fast Track High Court. In granting the bail, the court held that the offences for which the accused persons were being held were bailable. It said there was no indication that the accused persons would not avail themselves to stand trial when granted bail adding that the accused persons had laid sufficient grounds to warrant the grant of bail. It accordingly granted bail to the accused persons. At the Circuit Court’s sitting on Thursday, April 5, 2012, prosecutors informed the court to adjourn the case because investigations were ongoing. The case was adjourned to April 26, 2012. The facts of the case were that about three years ago, Krampah without licence from the Food and Drugs Board (FDB) began producing a local gin known as Atemuda ATM, Oshiemu, Two Fingers and Oshie Fridge Mu adulterated with narcotic drugs without a label in his house number J 15, Affiakuma Takoradi. Krampah ignored all relevant regulations and did not register the products in his bid to outwit any detection of mixing his products which were produced under unhygienic conditions. Patricia, Nana Hemaa and Kwabena acted as the main distributors for Krampah in Accra. Jerry and Osei on the otherhand, got their consignment from Patricia and retailed the drinks to the general public thereby endangering their lives. According to the prosecution, during field tests, all the drinks retrieved from Krampah tested positive for cannabis sativa, a narcotic drug.