The case in which Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Benjamin Agodzor, Dr Frederick Yaw Mac-Palm and eight others are standing trial for their respective role in an alleged coup plot has been adjourned to April 13.
The commencement of the trial which was fixed for Tuesday and Wednesday has to be adjourned following the recent Covid-19 directives from the Chief Justice.
Though prosecution was ready with its first of the 19 witnesses it intends to call to adduce evidence, the Court had to adjourn the case in which the accused persons are facing charges including treason.
The accused persons who also include rtd Colonel Samuel Kodzo Gameli, Donya Kafui, Bright Alan Debrah Ofosu, Johannes Zikpi, Corporal Seidu Abubakar, Lance Corporal Ali Solomon, Warrant Officer (WOII) and Corporal Sylvester Akanpewon have all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Bail variation
Lawyers of Warrant Officer II, Esther Saan prayed the court for a bail variation to enable her travel to Wa to perform some customary rites after her mother’s burial.
Per her current bail conditions, she is to among other things report to her Commanding Officer at Teshie Military base where she resides every two days.
But, the Court directs them to file a formal application to that effect for the court to rule on it.
The case has been adjourned to April 13.
Seven-member jury
Earlier this year, a seven-member team of jurors were empanelled to assist the Commercial Division of the Accra High Court to conduct the trial.
The court presided over by Justice Samuel Asiedu, Justice of the Court of Appeal sitting with additional responsibility as a High Court judge empanelled the jury which paves the way for the trial to commence today.
A total of 15 persons who were seconded from their various organizations to serve as jurors had their names mentioned in court but eight of them were rejected by the accused persons in the process leading up to the empanelling of the seven as required by the law for the case to start.
The Prosecution led by Hilda Craig, Senior State Attorney in her opening address to the court said ACP Agodzor, Dr Frederick Yao Mac Palm and eight others who have been held for allegedly plotting to destabilise the state.
According to her, ACP Agodzor, and Dr Mac Palm, the man accused of masterminding the alleged plot; together with eight others have been slapped with six separate charges including treason felony.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM
