Six people accused of plotting a coup have been found guilty and convicted by the High Court. They have been charged with conspiracy to commit high treason and committing high treason.
However, Assistant Commissioner of Police Benjamin Agordzo, Colonel Samuel Kodzo Gameli, and one other junior military officer, Corporal Seidu Abubakar, have been acquitted by the Court.
The convicted individuals, including three soldiers, namely Donya Kafui (also known as Ezor), Bright Alan Debrah Ofosu (a fleet manager), and Johannes Zikpi (a civilian employee of the Ghana Armed Forces), have been sentenced to death by hanging for their involvement in the coup plot.
On the other hand, Warrant Officer II Esther Saan Dekuwine, Lance Corporal Ali Solomon, and Corporal Sylvester Akanpewon, who are also soldiers, have been found guilty of conspiracy to commit high treason.
The judgment date for this case was set for November 22, 2023, after all parties involved had submitted their written arguments.
The initial charges were filed on April 24, 2021, against Dr. Frederick Yao Mac-Palm, the Chief Executive Officer of Citadel Hospital (now deceased), ACP Dr. Agordzo, and eight others. They were charged with conspiracy to commit high treason, abetment to high treason, and high treason.
Dr. Mac Palm (A1 – now deceased), Donya Kafui alias Ezor (A2), Bright Allan Debrah Ofosu alias Bright Alan Yeboah (A3), Yohannes Zikpi (A4), Warrant Officer Class Two Esther Saan Dekuwine (A6), Cpl Seidu Abubakar (A7), Lance Corporal Ali Solomon (A8), and Cpl Sylvester Akanpewon (A9) were all charged with conspiracy to commit high treason and high treason.
The prosecution team from the Attorney General’s Department, led by AG Godfred Yeboah Dame, included several individuals such as Mrs Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, Director of Public Prosecution, Hilda Craig, a Principal State Attorney, Winifred Sarpong, PSA, Ms. Lawrencia Adika, State Attorney, and Akosua Agyapomaa Agyemang, Assistant State Attorney, among others.
The accused individuals were represented by a defense counsel consisting of lawyers from Legal Aid and private practitioners. Notable defense attorneys who were part of the team included Rita Akukunti Ali, Victor Kodjogah Adawudu, Anthony Lartey, Eric Kpongo, Lamptiig Apanga, Matthias Yir-Eru, Kormivi Dzotsi, Ephraim A. Vordoagu, and Maud Opoku.
Serving as additional High Court judges, the three-member panel of judges comprised Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, Justice Hafisata Amaleboba, and Justice Stephen Oppong, with Justice Asare-Botwe acting as the President of the panel.
During the trial, the State Prosecutors presented a total of 13 witnesses, including seven soldiers. The Prosecution concluded its case on July 12, 2022, following a trial that began on June 8, 2021.
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