Four accused plead not guilty and are remanded over cocaine shipment intercepted by French authorities

Pinned summary · as of 15:53

Musah Atta, popularly called “Kromo”, and three others have pleaded not guilty in Ghana to charges tied to a cocaine consignment that French authorities are reported to have stopped. The court remanded the four while investigations go on.

What we know

• Musah Atta, also known as “Kromo”, stands charged in Ghana together with Jessica Hartog, Kweku Okyere and Desmond Koranteng Curiel over a suspected cocaine consignment stopped by French authorities.
• All four have entered not guilty pleas and been held in custody while investigations continue.

What's disputed / unconfirmed

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  GhPage reported that the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) arrested Mr Atta on 14 September 2026, that the four appeared before the Accra High Court charged with conspiracy and exporting narcotic drugs, and that the case was adjourned to 13 October 2026. The Press Radio did not report these details.
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  The Press Radio reported that the shipment held several tonnes of suspected cocaine and was intercepted at the port of Dunkirk, while GhPage described it as a consignment sent from Ghana. Neither detail has been confirmed by other reports.
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  New Tafo MP Vincent Ekow Assafuah claimed that Mr Atta was linked to the security detail of the President, John Dramani Mahama, and his deputy, Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang. The Press Radio reported that more photographs have appeared showing Mr Atta at public events involving the two leaders, but said the images do not show in what capacity he attended or whether he held any security role.
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  The Press Radio reported that NACOC said its preliminary checks found nothing establishing any suspect in its custody as a presidential escort. NACOC Deputy Director-General Alexander Twum-Barimah said more information would be needed to verify the claim about Mr Atta and questioned whether one person could guard both the President and the Vice President. This has not been confirmed by other reports.

Why it matters for Ghana

The case ties a major international drug-trafficking inquiry to questions about who is close to Ghana's top leadership, so the outcome bears on public confidence in the Narcotics Control Commission and the courts. Ghanaians will be watching whether investigators settle the dispute over the alleged security link. The four accused remain innocent in law until a court rules, and the next hearing will show how the prosecution proceeds.