Major cocaine trafficking trial stalls as accused GRA staff member seeks removal from case

A significant development in Ghana's largest recent drug trafficking case saw the Kwabenya Circuit Court adjourn proceedings on November 5 to rule on an application that could reshape the trial of six accused persons charged in connection with an alleged 3.9-tonne cocaine shipment destined for the Netherlands.

Helena Akua Denkyi, a contract staff member of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), filed the motion seeking her removal from the case in late September. The application, which has not yet received an opposing affidavit from the Attorney-General's office, signals potential weaknesses in the prosecution's case against at least one defendant or possible procedural grounds for her exclusion from trial.

The case and accused persons

The alleged smuggling attempt was uncovered at Tema Port on August 12, 2026, when authorities intercepted four containers believed to contain illicit narcotic substances. The charges reflect a striking pattern: whilst two accused—freight forwarder Francis Narh Amanor and evangelist Frank Adu-Boahen—face direct charges of conspiracy and exportation of narcotic drugs, four others, all employed by state institutions, are accused of abetment.

Togbe Agbeti, Andrews Tetteh Amponsah, Daniel Laryea, and Denkyi are alleged to have failed to properly analyse abnormal scanner images of the containers, thereby enabling the attempted export. The prosecution claims the shipment was destined for the Netherlands without the required ministerial licence.

In total, 10 persons have been arraigned across related cases, with four additional accused persons remanded by the High Court in a connected matter. All six defendants in the main trial remain in custody.

Procedural delays and bail setbacks

The adjournment reflects mounting procedural complications in the trial. Presiding Judge Prince Osei Owusu noted that Denkyi's application, filed weeks earlier, was only recently brought before the court, suggesting potential administrative delays. The judge indicated that the substantive prosecutor was unable to respond adequately to bail applications and other motions filed by defence counsel.

In response, the court directed defence lawyers to file formal bail applications rather than make oral requests, a procedural tightening that may disadvantage the accused. The court has already dismissed earlier bail applications on behalf of all six defendants, keeping them in custody throughout proceedings.

Chief Inspector Godwin T. Achondo, leading the prosecution, requested a one-month adjournment to complete necessary disclosures. However, defence lawyers seized on this filing of disclosures to argue that investigations are substantially complete and to renew calls for bail consideration.

Why it matters for Ghana

This case carries profound implications for Ghana's institutions and international standing. The involvement of four state employees—including a GRA staff member—in what amounts to alleged facilitatory roles within a major smuggling conspiracy raises serious questions about institutional integrity and internal oversight mechanisms. Such allegations can undermine public confidence in border security and port operations at Tema, a critical revenue gateway.

The seizure of 3.9 tonnes of suspected narcotics represents a significant victory for Ghana's law enforcement agencies and reflects heightened vigilance in combating transnational organised crime. However, the procedural delays, repeated bail rejections, and a defendant's application for removal from trial suggest the prosecution's case may face evidentiary or legal challenges ahead.

For Ghana's judiciary and criminal justice system, the trial will test whether the courts can successfully prosecute complex transnational drug crimes whilst protecting the rights of the accused and maintaining procedural fairness. The outcome will be closely watched by Ghana's international partners, particularly those involved in counter-narcotics cooperation.