Six of the accused coup conspirators were found guilty by the High Court on charges of high treason conspiracy and high treason offense.
However, Colonel Samuel Kodzo Gameli, Corporal Seidu Abubakar, a junior military officer, and Assistant Commissioner of Police Benjamin Agordzo have all been found not guilty by the court.
The six people found guilty of organizing a coup have been given hanging death sentences.
Six individuals, comprising three soldiers, were found guilty of conspiracy to commit treason and high treason. Johannes Zikpi, a civilian employee of the Ghana Armed Forces, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit treason. Donya Kafui, also known as Ezor, a blacksmith, and Bright Alan Debrah Ofosu, a fleet manager, were found guilty of conspiracy to commit treason.
The three soldiers, Corporal Sylvester Akanpewon, Lance Corporal Ali Solomon, and Warrant Officer II Esther Saan Dekuwine, were found guilty of high treason plot.
On November 22, 2023, Wednesday’s judgment date was set following the parties’ filing of their individual written arguments.
On April 24, 2021, charges of conspiracy to high treason, abetment to high treason, and high treason were brought against Dr. Frederick Yao Mac-Palm, the Chief Executive Officer of Citadel Hospital, who is now deceased, and ACP Dr. Agordzo along with eight other people.
Dr. Mac Palm (A1-Deceased), Donya Kafui, also known as Ezor (A2), 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 all accused of plotting to commit high and high treason.
ACP Dr. Benjamin Agordzo (A10) and Col. Samuel Kodzo Gameli (A5) have both been accused of aiding and abetting.
After entering not guilty pleas, all ten of the accused were given bail to await trial.
But when Dr. Mac-Palm (A1), who was testifying at the time in the witness box, passed away, his evidence was removed from the files and his death was verified to the court.
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
Bright Allan Debrah Fosu, the third accused, was defended by lawyers Linda Elikem Mensah and Osei Kwabena under the representation of Ms. Rita Akukunti Ali from Legal Aid.
