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| Daasebre Gyamena freed! |
5/15/2007 |
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After a almost a year long legal battle with the British authorities, the Ghanaian highlife star, Daasebre Gyamenah has finally been found innocent of the drug charges preferred against him.
But the court did not discharge him due basically to some technical immigration issues. Daasebre will therefore be released over the weekend. According to his lawyer, Mr. Joe Stone.
When the court sat for the fourth time today after several adjournments, the 12-member jury after a four hour forty-six minute session behind closed doors appeared again before the court to pronounce their verdict.
They had earlier appeared before the court with no verdict after which the Presiding judge, Honourable Mark McDowell, ordered that they go into another session and come back to court with a majority verdict.
The court with some handful of expectant Ghanaians, who had come to render their support to the star, went dead silent, with apprehension written on the faces of many including Gyamenah’s defence lawyer, the Court Ushers, with instructions from the Honourable Mark McDowell asked the Head Jury, “ were you able to come to a decision”. Yes, he affirmatively replied.
The Usher further enquired “what is your verdict?” “Not guilty” He said. The outburst that greeted the response was incredible. With emotion sandwiched between excitement and joy, the few Ghanaian ladies in the court room screamed and jumped up high uncontrollably. The security officials then had a job to do by ushering them out politely.
Daasebre in the glass dock with his interpreter and guards, raised his two arms towards the heavens, bowed towards the jury in appreciation, wiped his face and sat back on his seat.
Honourable McDowell told the anxious gathering at the court after the jury had left that “you are free but there is an immigration issues which would mean that you will still be in custody until about Monday when the issues would be resolved.
Mr Joe Stone, Daasebre’s defence lawyer, shortly after the verdict told this reporter that it was a good judgement and the immigration issue was a minor technical challenge will be resolved before Monday.
“It will now give him the time to continue his life, he has left his family for the past year and there is the need for a reunion.” He said
Mr. Martin Griffith who led the prosecution team however did not comment on the verdict. When asked whether he was disappointed he replied “I have no comments”
On the 29th of June last year, Gyamenah was arrested by Custom Officials at the London Heathrow International Airport, for allegedly importing banned drugs into the UK. He has since been in custody.
He was first put before the Uxbridge magistrate court where the case was committed to the Isleworth Crown court in West London. The trial at the Crown court was quashed after the 12-man jury failed to reach a verdict.
Under British Law it became necessary for a retrial. On the 8th of this month the case was called again after it had been postponed on the 12th of March this year.
Source:
Nana Sifa Twum & Isaac Amo-Kyereme
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