The High Court has delivered a verdict in the case of individuals accused of plotting a coup in Ghana, resulting in the conviction of six of the alleged conspirators on charges of conspiracy to commit high treason and committing high treason.
The court, however, acquitted three individuals, including Assistant Commissioner of Police Benjamin Agordzo, Colonel Samuel Kodzo Gameli, and junior military officer Corporal Seidu Abubakar.
The six convicted individuals, including three soldiers, a blacksmith named Donya Kafui (also known as Ezor), and a fleet manager named Bright Alan Debrah Ofosu, have been sentenced to death by hanging. Additionally, Johannes Zikpi, a civilian employee of the Ghana Armed Forces, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit high treason.
The trial, which commenced on June 8, 2021, featured a total of 13 witnesses, seven of whom were soldiers, including Colonel Isaac Amponsah, the Director of Operational Intelligence at the Defense Intelligence Unit of the Ghana Armed Forces.
The accused, Dr. Frederick Yao Mac-Palm, Chief Executive Officer of Citadel Hospital (now deceased), and ACP Dr. Benjamin Agordzo, along with eight others, were initially charged on April 24, 2021, with various offenses, including conspiracy to high treason, abetment to high treason, and high treason.
While the court’s decision brings closure to the legal proceedings, it marks a significant development in the ongoing saga of the alleged coup plot. The convictions carry severe penalties, highlighting the gravity of the charges.
The court’s three-member panel, consisting of Justices Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, Hafisata Amaleboba, and Stephen Oppong, all justices of the Court of Appeal sitting as additional High Court judges, played a crucial role in the verdict. Justice Asare-Botwe presided over the panel.
This ruling underscores the legal ramifications of actions associated with treason and plots against the state. The acquittal of three individuals and the conviction of others bring forth the complexities of the case and its broader implications for national security. The trial, which spanned several months, witnessed legal arguments, evidence presentations, and testimonies, ultimately culminating in a judgment that will have lasting consequences for those involved.
