Ofosu Ampofo’s leaked audio tape case to continue in February

The case in which the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) , Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, is standing trial for allegedly attempting to incite chaos in the country on a leaked audiotape will continue on February 2, 2021.

This was after the lawyer , who temporarily stepped in for Tony Lithur, counsel for the NDC Chairman, asked for adjourment because Mr Lithur is bereaved.

Ms Emeafa Hardcastle said she had instruction from Mr Lithur to plead for a two week adjournment since he had lost someone very close to him.

“My instructions from my senior was to ask for an adjournment since he (Tony Lithur) got bereaved as soon as we left here yesterday (Monday). He has a personal charge to the matter,” Ms Hardcastle told the Accra High Court.

The name of the deceased person was not mentioned in court.

Ms Hardcastle also drew the attention of the judge, Justice Samuel Asiedu, to the petition filed by the National Democratic Congress against President Nana Akufo-Addo.

The petition filed at the apex court has Mr Lithur named as the lead counsel.

The judge granted the request and subsequently adjourned the case to February 2 and 3, 2021.

No show on Monday

The court had fixed January 11 and January 12 to continue with the examination of a prosecution witness, Chief Inspector Bernard Berko.

But the court failed to meet its set target for the two days.

On January 11, 2021, the clerk informed the interested parties that the trial judge, Justice Samuel Asiedu, was unwell and had suggested the case be moved to Tuesday, January 12, but that was not to be either.

Interested parties, including the NDC National Chairman, were all in court.

READ: Ofosu Ampofo leaked tape sent to Isreal for forensic exams

Background

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo and the NDC’s Communications Officer of the party, Anthony Kwaku Boahen, 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.

ALSO READ: Defence protests as Witness identies Ogbamey

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.

ALSO READ: Boahen brings mother into Ofosu’s leaked audio case

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.