The High Court has convicted six of the alleged coup plotters for counts of conspiracy to commit high treason and committing high treason.
The Court, however, acquitted Assistant Commissioner of Police Benjamin Agordzo, Colonel Samuel Kodzo Gameli, and one other junior military officer, Corporal Seidu Abubakar.
The six convicted for plotting a coup have been sentenced to death by hanging. They are Donya Kafui, aka Ezor (a blacksmith) and Bright Alan Debrah Ofosu (a fleet manager), who were found guilty of conspiracy to commit treason and treason, while Johannes Zikpi (a civilian employee of the Ghana Armed Forces) was found guilty of conspiracy to commit high treason.
The three soldiers – Warrant Officer II Esther Saan Dekuwine, Lance Corporal Ali Solomon, and Corporal Sylvester Akanpewon – were found guilty of conspiracy to commit high treason.
Yesterday’s judgment date was fixed on November 22, 2023, after the parties had all filed their respective written submissions.
Dr. Frederick Yao Mac-Palm, the Chief Executive Officer of Citadel Hospital (now deceased), and ACP Dr. Agordzo, together with eight others, were charged variously on April 24, 2021, for conspiracy to high treason, abetment to high treason and high treason.
All 10 accused (then) pleaded not guilty and have been granted bail while standing trial.
However, following the death of Dr Mac-Palm, who was then in the witness box giving testimony, his evidence was deleted from the records after his passing away was confirmed to the Court.
Lawyers
From the Attorney General’s (AG) Department, AG Godfred Yeboah Dame led prosecution. He was assisted by 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.
For the Defence, Ms. Rita Akukunti Ali, a lawyer from Legal Aid, with Osei Kwabena and Linda Elikem Mensah represented Bright Allan Debrah Fosu, the third accused.
Victor Kodjogah Adawudu represented Donya Kafui, alias Ezor, CPL Seidu Abubakar, LAC Ali Solomon, and CPL Sylvester Akanpewon, while Anthony Lartey and Eric Kpongo were counsel for Col. Samuel Kodzo Gamelie, the fourth accused.
Lamptiig Apanga led Matthias Yir-Eru as lawyers for Esther Saan Dekuwine, the sixth accused. Kormivi Dzotsi, led by Martin Kpebu, represented ACP Benjamin Agordzo, the 10th accused, while Ephraim A. Vordoagu and Maud Opoku represented Dr Mac-Palm until his demise. They were discharged after the Court was informed officially of their client’s passing.
The three-member panel of judges were Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, Justice Hafisata Amaleboba and Justice Stephen Oppong. All three are Justices of the Court of Appeal sitting as additional High Court judges. Justice Asare-Botwe was the President of the panel.
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