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The Attorney General’s Department has submitted all the indictment documents for the trial of 10 people who are before a High Court in Accra for allegedly conspiring to destabilize the country.
The documents include witness statements, as well as exhibits of evidence that will be delivered by the prosecution witnesses when called.
The Attorney General’s Department also submitted documents such as the actual police statements of its witnesses in compliance with the requirements for them to submit all documents, including those on which they will not be based.
Appearing in court yesterday, Hilda Craig, a senior state prosecutor led by Winifred Sarpong, a senior state prosecutor, told the court that they had filed the documents as of Sept. 23 and called the attorneys by phone to inform them of the official presentations.
But lawyers told the court that they had not been served with what had been presented, and Victor Adawudu, who represents six of the defendants, told the court that he was told yesterday morning that it was on file, but had not yet seen papers.
The court chaired by Judge Samuel Adibu Asiedu, an Appeals Court judge who acts as an additional Superior Court judge, told the prosecution to ensure that defense attorneys have properly received all disclosures.
Ms. Craig also told the court that after completing the indictment documents, they were ready for the court to convene a jury to hear the matter.
However, Judge Asiedu stated that the court clerk had written to the various institutions and steps were being taken to make staff available to serve on the jury.
In the meantime, he said, the prosecution must make sure the defendants’ attorneys have all the disclosures so they have enough time to study them while they wait for the registrar on the way forward with the jurors.
The court then adjourned the case until November 20, 2020 for continuation.
Accused
The 10 people on trial are Dr. Frederick Mac-Palm, Donya Kafui aka Ezor, a local weapons manufacturer (blacksmith) from Alavanyo; Bright Allan Debrah Ofosu aka BB; Colonel Samuel Kojo Gameli, Lance Corporal Ali Solomon, Lance Corporal Sylvester Akapewu, Lance Corporal Seidu Abubakar and Johannes Zikpi, a civilian employee of the Ghana Armed Forces, have been charged.
The other two defendants are ASP Dr. Benjamin Agordzo and WO II Esther Saan aka Mama Gee.
Charges
Together, they face five counts of treason, conspiracy, treason, complicity in the crime of treason and possession of explosives and ammunition without a legal excuse.
Main allegations
The defendants are said to have had discussions about whether or not to kill the president once his alleged coup plan had been successful.
It is also alleged that they planned to acquire electronic equipment solely for the purpose of tampering with the National Communications Authority’s system to disable all transmission stations (except the state network).
Beyond the murder plot, the prosecution alleges that the defendants had conversations to capture senior public officials.
Once again, the defendants are said to have acquired weapons, including improvised explosives and tested them, and also hired people to make grenades, pistols and other dangerous weapons for the alleged coup.
— Daily guide
