Six of the alleged coup plotters have been convicted by the High Court for conspiracy to commit high treason and committing high treason.
They have been sentenced to death by hanging. However, Assistant Commissioner of Police Benjamin Agordzo, Colonel Gameli, and one other junior military officer, Corporal Seidu Abubakar, have been acquitted.
The judgment date was fixed on November 22, 2023, after all parties had submitted their written statements.
On April 24, 2021, Dr. Frederick Yao Mac-Palm, the Chief Executive Officer of Citadel Hospital (now deceased) and ACP Dr. Agordzo, along with eight others, were charged with conspiracy to commit high treason, abetment to high treason, and high treason.
Ten accused individuals initially pleaded not guilty and were granted bail while the trial was ongoing.
However, following the death of Dr. Mac-Palm, who was giving testimony in the witness box, his evidence was removed from the records after his passing was confirmed to the Court.
Dr. Mac Palm (A1- now Deceased), Donya Kafui alias Ezor (A2), Bright Allan Debrah Ofosu alias Bright Alan Yeboah (A3), Yohannes Zikpi (A4), Warrant Officer Class Two Esther Saan Dekuwine (A6), Cpl Seidu Abubakar (A7), Lance Corporal Ali Solomon (A8) and Cpl Sylvester Akanpewon (A9) were charged with conspiracy to commit high and high treason. Col. Samuel Kodzo Gameli (A5) and ACP Dr Benjamin Agordzo (A10) were each charged with abetment.
AG’s team
The Attorney General’s (AG) Department’s Godfred Yeboah Dame led the prosecution, which also included the following: Ms. Lawrencia Adika, State Attorney; Mrs. Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, Director of Public Prosecution; Hilda Craig, Principal State Attorney (PSA); Winifred Sarpong, PSA; and Akosua Agyapomaa Agyemang, Assistant State Attorney.
Defence lawyers
On the defense side, Ms Rita Akukunti Ali, a lawyer from Legal Aid, along with Osei Kwabena and Linda Elikem Mensah, represented Bright Allan Debrah Fosu, the third accused.
Lawyer Victor Kodjogah Adawudu represented Donya Kafui, also known as Ezor (A2), CPL Seidu Abubakar (A7), LAC Ali Solomon (A8), and CPL Sylvester Akanpewon (A9).
Lawyers Anthony Lartey and Eric Kpongo represented Col. Samuel Kodzo Gamelie, the fourth accused. Lamptiig Apanga led Matthias Yir-Eru as lawyers for Esther Saan Dekuwine, the sixth accused. Lawyer Kormivi Dzotsi, being led by Martin Kpebu, represented ACP Benjamin Agordzo, the 10th Accused.
Lawyer Ephraim A. Vordoagu and Lawyer Maud Opoku were those representing Dr Mac-Palm until his demise. They were discharged after the Court was officially informed of their client’s passing.
Court panel
The three-member panel of judges are Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, Justice Hafisata Amaleboba and Justice Stephen Oppong, all three are Justices of the Court of Appeal sitting as additional High Court judges.
Justice Asare-Botwe is the President of the panel.
State witnesses
During the alleged coup trial, the State Prosecutors presented 13 witnesses, including seven soldiers, such as Col. Isaac Amponsah, who is the Director of Operational Intelligence at the Defence Intelligence Unit of the Ghana Armed Forces and served as the first prosecution witness.
The trial began on June 8, 2021, and on July 12, 2022, the Prosecution closed its case after calling all 13 witnesses to the stand.
