General News of Thursday, 5 December 2019
Source: www.ghanaweb.live
2019-12-05Coup plot saga: It's now persecution not prosecution - Lawyer bemoans delays in court processes
play videoVictor Kojogah Adawudu, Lawyer for the nine suspects charged for plotting a coup
Lawyer Victor Kojogah Adawudu has lamented delays with court proceedings on the alleged coup plot case by the Kaneshie District Court.
According to him, the halt of the case due to justifications by State Prosecutors, who have on several occasions prayed the court for ample time to gather more evidence against the suspects, is disappointing.
He noted that the
Read full articlestate has had ample time to present their case in court arguing that the long period shifts the focus from prosecution to persecution.
“Since September that we have been coming everyday; they said they will file it they’ve not done it. For me I’m disappointed.”
He added, “It’s now moving from prosecution to persecution. It is just clear that you will level an allegation against somebody- you said you have done intelligence and investigation for 15 months and till now we are in the 18th month you cannot put even the summary of evidence before court.”
Some 10 persons, believed to have been involved in a coup plot to destabilize the Akufo-Addo government, are in police custody following several months of investigations by the Defence Intelligence, CID and Bureau of National Investigations (BNI)
The joint operaton led to the retrieval of several arms, explosive devices and ammunition from locations in Accra.
The suspects have been charged by the state for offences including conspiracy to commit crime namely treason felony, abetment to commit crime namely treason felony, possession of explosives, arms and ammunition without lawful excuse.
The lead counsel for the nine of the suspects, who seem to have faith in the innocence of his clients, believes that come what may, “the truth shall come out.”
In Lawyer Victor Adawudu’s words, “No matter what happens, if the case will stand we will see. I think that when people are being paid by the state to do their job, they go and sleep and do don’t have anything and you persecute people, I think that posterity will leave to judge.”
