The Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Dr. Benjamin Agordzo and eight others, who are facing trial for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government, are set to receive their judgment on January 24, 2024. The High Court, presided over by a three-member panel led by Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, a Justice of the Court of Appeal, set this date on Wednesday, November 22, 2023.
The proceedings have been bustling with legal activity. Some defense lawyers and State Prosecutors have indicated to the Court that they have filed their written submissions, while Lawyer Kodjogah Adawudu and the lawyer for the third accused, Alan Debrah Fosu, have been directed to file by December 13, 2023, as they are yet to do so.
This three-member panel, which also includes Justice Hafisata Amaleboba and Justice Stephen Oppong, all Justices of the Court of Appeal, has finalized Wednesday, January 24, next year, as the date for the much-anticipated judgment.
Background
The prosecution was the first to close its case after presenting 13 witnesses. The charges varied; ACP Dr. Agordzo, together with Dr. Frederick Yao Mac-Palm, the Chief Executive Officer of Citadel Hospital (now deceased), and eight others were charged on April 24, 2021, for conspiracy to high treason, abetment to high treason, and high treason. Given the seriousness of the charges, the legal proceedings have been closely monitored by the public and legal experts alike.
The start of the trial was an eventful one. State Prosecutors handling the case involving the alleged coup trial closed their case after presenting 13 witnesses, including seven soldiers. This demonstrates the gravity of the accusations and the extensive legal process that has unfolded.
The extensive list includes;
Witness 1 is Col. Isaac Amponsah, Director of Operational Intelligence at the Defence Intelligence Unit of the Ghana Armed Forces
Witness 2 is Major-General Nicholas Peter Andoh, who is currently the Chief of Staff at the General Headquarters of the Ghana Armed Forces and was the Director-General of Defence Intelligence at the time of the alleged occurrences.
Witness 3 is Staff Sgt. Awarf Kwadwo Sule, a soldier who claims to have participated in meetings and events related to the case.
Witness 4 is Sgt. Henry Kow Ghartey, stationed at the One Signal Regiment, the Communication Unit of the Ghana Armed Forces at Burma Camp.
Witness 5 is Staff Sgt. Jonas Yeankye Kofi Nantonah, stationed at the Training Unit of the General Headquarters of the Ghana Armed Forces.
Witness 6 is Isaac Osei of the Ghana Institute of Languages, who was in charge of transcribing speeches on the audio and videos presented as evidence.
Witness 7 is ASP Richard Anaty, a firearms examiner at the Forensic Science Laboratory of the CID Headquarters.
Witness 8 is Col. Gaspard Kwaning Asare, who served as the Senior Ammunition Technical Officer for the Ghana Armed Forces at the time.
Witness 9 is Eric Karikari Boateng, a Pharmacist and the Director of the Centre for Laboratory Services and Research at the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA).
Witness 10 is Francis Aboagye, an Officer with the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) who played an integral role in the investigation of the case, and Cabral Mohammed Ayambillah, a Cyber Security and Digital Forensic Officer with the NIB, who testified about examining the mobile devices seized from relevant persons in the matter.
READ ALSO: Police Officer Detained By Supreme Court for Yelling At Chief Justice During Proceedings.
Additionally, Cpl. Godwin Nii Korankye Ankrah, a soldier, provided testimony related to his participation in a meeting involving some of the accused persons. D/C/Inspector Michael Nkrumah, also an Officer with the NIB, lent further weight to the State's case by affirming his involvement in the investigative team.
The Attorney General’s (AG) Department showcased a strong prosecution team, spearheaded by AG Godfred Yeboah Dame. The prosecution also included Mrs. Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, Director of Public Prosecution, Hilda Craig, a Principal State Attorney (PSA), Winifred Sarpong, PSA, Ms. Lawrencia Adika, State Attorney, and Akosua Agyapomaa Agyemang, Assistant State Attorney, among others.
On the defense side, lawyers from Legal Aid, including Ms. Rita Akukunti Ali, Osei Kwabena, and Linda Elikem Mensah, diligently represented their client, Bright Allan Debrah Fosu, the third accused. Additionally, defense lawyers such as Victor Kodjogah Adawudu, Anthony Lartey, Eric Kpongo, Lamptiig Apanga, Matthias Yir-Eru, Kormivi Dzotsi, and Martin Kpebu vigorously defended their respective clients, ensuring a comprehensive and robust legal defense.
Follow Us On Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/bfmnetwork
The judicial panel overseeing this complex case comprises Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, Justice Hafisata Amaleboba, and Justice Stephen Oppong, all of whom presently serve as Justices of the Court of Appeal, sitting as additional High Court judges. Furthermore, Justice Asare-Botwe serves as the President of this esteemed panel.
The legal tussle stems from the AG's assertion that Dr. Mac-Palm and his cohorts, members of an association named Take Action Ghana (TAG), had purportedly planned to stage demonstrations with the intent of overthrowing the government. The allegations include a recorded attempt to procure arms and explosives, which led to the arrest of several individuals and the recovery of concerning weaponry from the premises of the Citadel Hospital.
Comments
Post a Comment