High Court Sets January 24, 2024, for Judgement in Alleged Coup Plot Case
A High Court in Accra has scheduled January 24, 2024, as the date to deliver its judgment in the case involving nine individuals accused of conspiring to overthrow the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government through a violent coup.
The accused, comprising civilians, junior and senior military personnel, and a senior police officer, are facing charges of conspiracy and abetment of crime, along with a substantive charge of high treason.
The court decided on the date after noting that some defense lawyers had complied with the order to file written addresses. However, two defense lawyers are yet to do so, and they have been given until December 13, 2023.
The nine accused individuals, including civilians, a senior police officer, and six military officers, are alleged to have plotted to usurp the executive powers of the state. The prosecution claims they planned to manufacture improvised explosive devices (IEDs), guns, and ammunition for their coup plot.
The accused, said to be members of the non-governmental organization Take Action Ghana (TAG), are also accused of being involved in the late Dr. Frederick Mac-Palm's alleged coup plot. Mac-Palm was standing trial until his death in March this year.
The trial, which commenced on April 24, 2021, has seen the prosecution present 13 witnesses, including undercover operatives who infiltrated a WhatsApp group where the alleged coup plot was discussed. The accused have denied the charges, questioning the authenticity of the evidence presented by the prosecution.