Heavy security presence at High Court ahead of judgment in coup plot case

There is a heavy security presence at the Accra High Court as it prepares to deliver a judgment in the coup plot case involving ACP Benjamin Agodzor and eight others.

Personnel from the Formed Police Unit (FPU) of the Ghana Police Service, military officers, and prison officers can be seen at the court premises.

The courtroom is also filled, with family and friends anxiously awaiting the verdict on the nine individuals accused of high treason and conspiracy to commit high treason.

It will be recalled that in April 2021, a high-ranking police officer, ACP Benjamin Agodzor, Dr Frederick Yao Mac Palm (now deceased), a medical doctor, and eight others were hauled before the court for plans to destabilize the country.

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, Warrant Officer II Esther Saan Dekuwine and Corporal Sylvester Akanpewon.

The accused persons were arrested in June 2018 for being members of the ‘Take Action Ghana’, a non-governmental organization allegedly with an “elaborate plot targeted at the Presidency”.

Per the facts, as part of the plot, Dr Mac-Palm (deceased), 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 22 explosives, six ammunition, and five 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.

A three-member panel of the High Court presided over by Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, a Justice of the Court of Appeal, is set to deliver the judgment today (Wednesday, January 24, 2024).

The judgment date was set on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, after all parties involved had submitted their respective written submissions.

The prosecution called 13 witnesses to prove its case.