The Former boss of the EXOPA Modeling Agency has been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for attempting to smuggle narcotic drugs out of the country.
Ibrahim Sima has been on trial since September 2009 for two counts of attempting to export narcotic drugs and unlawful possession of narcotic drugs.
He was arrested on September 7, 2009 at the Kotoka International Airport when a search on his luggage revealed tubers of yam in which was an embedded narcotic substance.
Officers of the Narcotics Control Board led the convict (then suspect) to his residents where a bread knife (which was allegedly used to cut the yam) and super glue which was used to seal the items were found and presented as evidence in court.
Sima denied the charges and told officials of the Narcotics Control Board, who interrogated him after his arrest, that the yams were given to him by one Salifu who resides in Nima, a suburb of Accra, to be given to a friend for a fee of 3,000 Euros.
After years of legal maneuvering, the court, presided over by Justice Charles Quist delivered its judgment Thursday and found him guilty of the charges.
According Joy News' Cyrus deGraft Johnson, the court was packed and Sima sat there almost imperceptible listening to the judgement.
He said when the ruling was given, the former EXOPA boss did not show any emotion while his supporters and family members who had thronged the court were left disappointed.
Counsel for Sima, Mr James Agalga said he was surprised at the ruling because he was not expecting the court to rule on the case on March 3, 2011.
According to him, the court had asked him to file a written address and he was about to do that when he was surprised with a ruling.
Mr Agalga said he will consult with the convict to determine whether they will be appealing the decision.
Story by Malik Abass Daabu
Ibrahim Sima has been on trial since September 2009 for two counts of attempting to export narcotic drugs and unlawful possession of narcotic drugs.
He was arrested on September 7, 2009 at the Kotoka International Airport when a search on his luggage revealed tubers of yam in which was an embedded narcotic substance.
Officers of the Narcotics Control Board led the convict (then suspect) to his residents where a bread knife (which was allegedly used to cut the yam) and super glue which was used to seal the items were found and presented as evidence in court.
Sima denied the charges and told officials of the Narcotics Control Board, who interrogated him after his arrest, that the yams were given to him by one Salifu who resides in Nima, a suburb of Accra, to be given to a friend for a fee of 3,000 Euros.
After years of legal maneuvering, the court, presided over by Justice Charles Quist delivered its judgment Thursday and found him guilty of the charges.
According Joy News' Cyrus deGraft Johnson, the court was packed and Sima sat there almost imperceptible listening to the judgement.
He said when the ruling was given, the former EXOPA boss did not show any emotion while his supporters and family members who had thronged the court were left disappointed.
Counsel for Sima, Mr James Agalga said he was surprised at the ruling because he was not expecting the court to rule on the case on March 3, 2011.
According to him, the court had asked him to file a written address and he was about to do that when he was surprised with a ruling.
Mr Agalga said he will consult with the convict to determine whether they will be appealing the decision.
Story by Malik Abass Daabu
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