High Court Refuses Coup Suspect Request To Travel Abroad For 10 Days

The Accra High Court hearing the supposed treason case involving ten persons accused of plotting to overthrow the Akufo-Addo government has declined a request by one of the accused persons to be allowed to travel outside the country for ten days.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Benjamin Agordzo, told the court on October 10, 2021, that he needed to travel to Kenya where he was expected to be engaged as a resource person in a security program.

However, the three-member panel of the Court, presided over by Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe said the conditions of his bail do not support his request.

According to the court, the nature of the offence in which Dr. Agordzo and nine others who have pleaded not guilty require him to be present in court throughout sittings. 

Other members of the panel are Justice Hafisata Amaleboba and Justice Anthony Oppong.

Dr. Agordzo, a senior Police officer, is facing abetment charges in the alleged Coup plot with nine others – Colonel Samuel Kodzo Gameli, Dr Frederick Mac-Palm, Donya Kafui, Bright Alan Debrah Ofosu, Johannes Zikpi, Corporal Seidu Abubakar, Lance Corporal Ali Solomon, Corporal Sylvester Akanpewon and Warrant Officer (II) Esther Saan Dekuwine.

They have all pleaded not guilty to charges ranging from Conspiracy to commit a crime to wit; high treason, treason and Abetment.

The State’s case against them is premised on alleged evidence that a soldier, Staff Sergeant Awarf Sulle, is said to have secretly recorded after Sulle had been recruited by the alleged coupists to collaborate with them.

 On Monday, Dr. Agordzo sought to convince the High Court to grant him 10 days to travel to Nairobi, Kenya where he would be engaged as a resource person in the East African country’s Security Sector Reform Training program.

Kormivi Dzotsi, counsel for Dr Agordzo held brief for lawyer Martin Kpebu.  

“We pray that the court exercises its discretion to grant A10 to travel outside the jurisdiction. This is particularly important because per A10’s affidavit he is willing to waive his right to allow the trial to proceed in order not to delay the trial,” he said. 

Counsel said the trial could continue in his absence which will be 10 days and that, in his absence, his family, particularly the wife and lawyer will be in court to monitor the proceedings and if anything is needed to be provided to the court he will be willing to provide.

However, the State opposed the request. Principal State Attorney, Winifred Sarpong, argued that the basis of the case of the accused is not one in which his presence in court can be ignored.

She pointed out that the case is not a misdemeanor, and cited Section 70 of Act 30, to underscore the fact that the offence which the applicant has been charged is the highest offence of the land.

The prosecutor also argued that COVID-19 has put in vogue virtual video communication and that if the people engaging ACP Agordzo really mean business, they can set up video meetings online.

The court sided with the State and denied the request.

Meanwhile, in court on Monday, Staff Sergeant Awarf Sule’s secretly recorded video footage was played.

 All the accused were in court.