Trial of Agordzo, nine others over alleged coup plot to start January

The Commercial Division of the Accra High Court has set January 21, 2021, to begin the trial of the case involving Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Benjamin Agordzo, Dr Frederick Yao Mac-Palm and eight others accused of an alleged coup plot against the government last year.

The Court presided by Justice Samuel Asiedu, a Court of Appeal Judge with additional responsibility as a High Court Judge, also set January 13, 14 and 15, 2021 for the Case Management Conference (CMC) before trial.

The CMC was to help the court together with the parties identify crucial issues in the litigation to enable a smooth trial process.

3news report said the Court set the date on Friday, November 20, 2020.

“We adjourned the case to today (Friday) to empanel the jury, but I will not empanel the jury today. That is why I invited the lawyers. I have given some dates for the CMC 13th, 14th and 15th of January, 2021,” Justice Aseidu said.

“The day we will empanel the jury is the same day the trial will start. If the accused persons are able, they may attend the CMC. If they are unable, their lawyers will represent them for the CMC,” he added.

ACP Agordzo arrested over alleged coup plot  

The Director of the Transformation Programmes Office of the Police Service, Assistant Commissioner of Police, (ACP) Dr Benjamin Agordzor, was on November 4, 2019, arrested over an alleged plot to overthrow the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government together with nine others.

The senior Police Officer was alleged to have aided coup plotters including the Chief Executive Officer of the Citadel Hospital, Dr Frederick Yao Mac-Palm, Military Officers, Freight; Colonel Samuel Kojo Gameli; Corporal Seidu Abubakar; Lance Corporal (L/C), Sylvester Akankpewu; and Johannes Zipki with the Signal Unit of the Ghana Armed Forces, Donyo Kafui, alias Ezor, blacksmith and Bright Alan Debrah in their ploy against the government.

ACP Agordzo charged with Treason

ACP Agordzo together with WO2 Esther Saan, L/C Ali Solomon and the others were charged with offences including conspiracy to commit treason, treason, conspiracy to possess explosives, arms and ammunition and possession of explosives, arms and ammunition without lawful authority.

He was granted a self-recognisance bail of GH¢500,000.00 on January 21, 2020.