Coup plot: Court refuses accused persons bail over capacity to interfere in investigations

Coup plot: Court refuses accused persons bail overcapacity to interfere in investigations

An application filed by lawyers of seven of the nine accused persons currently standing trial for their alleged plot to create instability in the country has been dismissed by the Accra High Court, ABC News can report.

The Court dismissed the application on grounds that the accused persons have the capacity to interfere in the ongoing investigations into the matter, particularly, when it involved senior officers in the military.

Explaining the Court’s decision, the Presiding Judge, Justice George Buadi, indicated that none of the accused persons had been detained beyond two months and their arrest and detention are not arbitrary or unlawful.

Nine persons, including the lead suspect, Dr. Frederick Yao Mac-Palm together with some senior military officers are standing trial for their alleged plot to topple the government.

They have been charged with treason felony and conspiracy to commit treason felony.

Lawyers of the accused persons filed the application praying the court for bail for them pending trial after the Court had remanded them into the custody of the Bureau of National Investigations.

Their lawyer, Victor Adawudu argued that investigations into the case have taken a while and believed that his clients, who have rejected allegations leveled against them, must be released to have their freedom while the investigations and trial take place.

The prosecution on their part, objected to the application arguing that their release could be a threat to national security and also give an avenue to the accused persons to abscond due to the seriousness of the offense.

The Court agreed with the prosecution that the seriousness of the offense warranted their detention and consequently dismissed the application.

Investigations into the case have gained grounds as some senior police officers have also been questioned in connection with the matter.

The former Director of the Transformation Office of the Ghana Police Service, ACP Dr. Benjamin Agordzor is also facing trial over the plot.

Dr. Agordzo is alleged to have offered some assistance to the leader of the alleged coup plotters, Dr. Frederick Yao Mac-Palm, and the other suspects to execute their alleged plan.

The Police Commissioner has, however, denied the allegations, stressing that he hasn’t committed any crime as he is been accused of.

He was remanded by the Court last Wednesday after being charged with Abetment to Commit Crime; namely, Treason Felony contrary to section 20(1) and 182 (b) of the Criminal and Other Offences Act 1960 (Act 29).

Another top police chief, Commissioner of Police (COP) Nathan Kofi Boakye, has also been questioned in connection with the matter.

Source: ABCNewsgh.com