Crime

Alleged coup plot: Defence lawyers, A-G to file legal argument before Nov 17

The state and lawyers for nine persons including a senior police officer and military personnel, standing trial for allegedly plotting to over­throw the government, have been asked to file written legal arguments on or before Friday, November 17.

A three-member panel of judges, presided over by Justice Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwe, a Court of Appeal Judge, sitting with additional responsibility, directed the Attorney-General (A-G) and defence to file writ­ten legal statements, after one of the accused, Warrant Officer Class Two (WOII) Esther Saan Dekuwine gave her testimony.

The case has been adjourned to November 22, 2023, for the court to set date for judgment.

Dr Frederick Yao Mac-Palm, the owner of Citadel Hospital in Alajo, Accra, (now deceased), Donya Kafui, Bright Alan Debrah, Johannes Zikpi, and Colonel Samuel Kojo Gameli were charged with conspiracy to commit high treason, treason, abetment, conspiracy to possess explosives, arms and ammuni­tion without lawful authority.

The other accused, were Lance Airforce Corporal (LAC) Ali Solomon, LAC Seidu Abubakar, Corporal Sylvester Akankpewon and Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Dr Benjamin Kwasi Agordzo.

They were arrested in 2019, and committed to stand trial at the High Court by the Kaneshie District Court.

They all pleaded not guilty and admitted to bail in various sums.

The accused are in court for allegedly engaging in activities of Take Action Ghana (TAG), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), accused by the prose­cution of planning to destabi­lise the country and eventually overthrow the government.

The prosecution has called 13 witnesses so far, to prove its case, and lawyers for the ac­cused have also cross-examined the witnesses.

Prosecution said that accused used TAG as an avenue to mo­bilise in order to overthrow the government.

The court heard that ACP Agordzo joined a WhatsApp platform of TAG, created by Dr Mac-Palm, where the group discussed a planned demonstra­tion, which was likened to the Arab Spring.

Prosecution said ACP Agordzo donated GH¢2,000 to TAG to aid its cause and also drafted a speech for Dr Mac- Palm to be read at the planned demonstration by TAG.

 BY MALIK SULLEMANA

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