ACP Agordzor sues IGP and AG for continuous interdiction pending coup plot case

A senior police officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Dr Benjamin Agordzo, who has been interdicted for his alleged role in a suspected coup plot has sued the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Attorney General over his interdiction.

The officer has been on interdiction since November 8, 2019, with nine others alleged to have been involved in a plot to remove President Nana Akufo-Addo and kidnap some notable personalities.

Together, the accused persons are facing a charge of High Treason at an Accra High Court, and are currently on bail.

ACP Agordzor, however, per his status, was put on interdiction as investigations continued but for over a year, nothing has been said about his interdiction status.

The senior officer argued that his continuous interdiction is unlawful since police regulations dictate that an officer’s interdiction must be revoked after three months if no internal disciplinary proceedings are held against such an officer.

“The refusal of the IGP as per the letter dated May 27, 2020, to accede to the demand made on him [IGP] by the lawyers on April 23, 2020, to revoke the order of interdiction he imposed on him [ACP Agordzor] in 2019 is unlawful,” he noted in his affidavit filed by his lawyer Martin Kpebu.

The officer who has served in various capacities for over 31 years and risen through the ranks reiterated that his “continuous interdiction is in breach of my right to administrative justice and due process”.

He also mentioned that his salary was reduced by 25%, after being relieved of all duties as a police officer.

The respondents, Inspector General of Police and Attorney General were however not in court.

Counsel for the officer accused of treason Martin Kpebu furnished the court with the documents and authorities he intends to rely on for the case.

The case has been adjourned to November 22, 2021. The applicant is to ensure the respondents are served with hearing notice.

Background

It has been over a year since the high-ranking police officer, ACP Benjamin Agodzor, was charged with abetment to High Treason.

A medical doctor, Dr Frederick Yao Mac Palm, 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.

In furtherance of the plot, Dr Mac-Palm invited Kafui, who was a blacksmith at Alavanyo, to Accra to manufacture explosives and pistols for the group.

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.