Ofosu Ampofo leaked audio: Attempt to stop language lecturer from testifying quashed

The Accra High Court has quashed an attempt to stop a language lecturer from testifying in the trial of the NDC National Chairman allegedly heard in a leaked audio tape inciting mayhem.

The defence team of Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, had objected to the inclusion of the prosecution witness, arguing the leaked audio was not credible enough for a witness to base his testimony.

The prosecution was trying to tender the statement of the witness in court which would then allow him to testify.

Tony Lithur who led the defence counsel insisted that it would be prejudicial for a witness to give the audio credence through a statement.

The court, presided over by Justice Samuel Asiedu, sided with the prosecution, led by Director of Public Prosecution, Yvonne Atakorah Obuobisah, who said the witness statement had passed all the required test.

The prosecution witness, Isaac Osei, who is a lecturer at the Ghana Institute of Languages (GIL) was ushered into the witness box.

Once there, defence counsel, Tony Lithur asked him if he could recognise the voice he heard in the audio recording.

The language lecturer responded, he could not. He said he was only contracted by the prosecution to transcribe the ‘leaked audio’.

“I do not know the identity of the persons on the audiotape I transcribed. I can not also say anything about the authenticity of the content of the audio I transcribe,” the Spanish and English lecturer told the Accra High Court on Thursday.

Background

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo and the NDC’s Communications Officer of the party, Anthony Kwaku Boahe, are standing trial for conspiracy to assault a public officer and conspiracy to cause harm.

In a widely circulated audio, Mr Ofosu-Ampofo is allegedly heard inciting party communicators to assault public officials and plotting to harm some other civilians – allegations he has vehemently denied.

In the audio, apart from inciting the party’s communicators, he is also heard urging them to discredit the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Jean Mensa, who replaced a Mahama appointed EC boss, Charlotte Osei.

According to the audio, the plan was to create a general state of insecurity in the country through kidnapping, as well as verbal attacks on the Chairperson of the EC.

Ofosu Ampofo maintains innocence

Ofosu Ampofo, who described his trial as a political witch-hunt, minced no words by stating that he knows those behind his misfortunes.

The former Local Government Minister insisted that his arrest and subsequent trial is borne out of mischief and an attempt by his detractors to frustrate his effort as national chairman of the largest opposition party.

Ofosu Ampofo has refused to give out the names of the said detractors but promised to reveal it in due time.

The NDC Chairman believes he will bounce back stronger as he has learnt useful lessons with the ongoing trial.

Legal counsel for the embattled National Chairman, had argued that the audio recording of their client was a breach of his privacy.

The defence team led by Tony Lithur had filed an application asking an Accra High Court to stop the state from presenting a leaked audio recording as evidence of his client’s alleged crime.

The case is set to continue on October 16, 2020.