An Accra High Court was compelled to adjourn the case in which 10 persons are standing trial for their various roles in an alleged coup to overthrow the Akufo-Addo government.
This was because counsel for one of the accused persons informed the court that his client was unwell and hence needed two days to rest.
Lawyer Victor Adawudu, had an excuse duty signed by a medical doctor at the Ogbojo Polyclinic Dr Joel Pabi, to back his claim that Bright Alan Debrah Ofosu was sick.
Victor Adawudu was also expected to further cross-examine the third prosecution witness, Staff Sergeant Awarf Sule, on Tuesday, November 9.
However, following the absence, there was a need for an adjournment.
The three-member panel of the court presided over by Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe said, “We all know that in a criminal matter the absence of one accused person makes it impossible for the trial to continue”.
“But we want to ensure that the excuse duty is coming from proper custody so we will be making an order for the doctor to appear before us tomorrow [Wednesday],” she added.
She, therefore, issued a subpoena for the medical doctor to appear before the court to confirm if he indeed saw and treated the accused person.
At the last adjourned date, the court admitted into evidence videos and audios that allegedly captured the activities of the 10 persons standing trial in an alleged coup plot.
Background
Over a year ago, the high-ranking police officer, ACP Benjamin Agodzor, was charged with abetment to high treason.
Dr Frederick Yao Mac Palm, a medical doctor, has been accused of being the plot’s mastermind.
The eight other accused persons are Colonel Samuel Kodzo Gameli, Donya Kafui, Bright Alan Debrah Ofosu, Johannes Zikpi, Corporal Seidu Abubakar, Lance Corporal Ali Solomon and Corporal Slyvester Akanpewon.
The accused persons were earlier slapped with six separate charges, including treason felony contrary to section 23 (1) and 182 (b) of the criminal and other offences Act, 1960.
Dr Mac-Palm, Dornyor Kafui, Allan Debrah Ofosu, Dekuwine, Abubakar, L/Cpl Akanpewon and Zikpi are on charges of conspiracy to commit high treason and treason.
Dr Mac-Palm and Kafui have been separately charged with conspiracy to possess explosives and ammunition without lawful excuse and possession of explosives and ammunition without lawful excuse.
Col Gameli and ACP Dr Agordzo have been charged with abetment to high treason.
Alleged Coup Plot
In June 2018, security agencies arrested members of the ‘Take Action Ghana’ for an “elaborate plot targeted at the Presidency”.
As part of the plot, Dr Mac-Palm, Kafui and Debrah planned on kidnapping the President, the Vice-President, the Speaker of Parliament and the Chief of the Defence Staff and force the President to announce his overthrow.
Dr Mac-Palm invited Kafui, a blacksmith at Alavanyo, to move to Accra to manufacture explosives and pistols for the group to further the plot.
Regarding ACP Dr Agordzo, he is said to have donated GH¢2,000 to TAG to aid its cause and drafted a speech for Dr Mac-Palm to be read at a planned demonstration by TAG.