Magistrate handling alleged coup plot demand speedy investigations

The Magistrate adjudicating the trial of the alleged coup plotters has ordered prosecution to speed up investigation.

Mrs Eleanor Barnes Botwey told prosecution that cases of that magnitude should not be dragged since it could bring tension. She hoped by the next adjourned date, which is the 20th of November, 2019, they would have finalized their investigations and sent it to the Attorney General’s Department.

This was after the prosecution led by ASP Slyvester Asare prayed the court to give them few weeks to prepare the case docket since investigation is still on-going.

Lawyer for the accused persons urged the court to give the prosecution a definite timeline to submit the docket because the law gives no time frame as to when investigations should be done and when the bail of indictment should be put before the court.

They argued that delay in the case is an abuse of rights and freedom of their clients.

In another development, Lawyer for the first accused person told the court that the keys to his private hospital and his private residence are still with the investigator.

He said the mere fact that he has been accused of a crime should not be a basis to deny others the right to work and enjoy the private property.

He said his family members are now putting up with friends and the family has been denied access to the property which was not acquired by the accused person alone.

ASP Asare in response said some rooms in the hospital as well as his bedroom have been marked as crime scenes. But the judge who was not happy with the development said the trial cannot bring the lives of others to a standstill.

She asked ASP Asare to consult with his team and give her a definite response the next hearing.

ASP Asare told the court that intelligence gathered from last Friday (November 8) to yesterday (November 11) is so compelling that they would want to change the custody of Dr. MacPalm for his own security and that of the state.

The judge after consultation with the other lawyers then ordered that the accused person be moved from Osu Police Station to the Cantonments Police station.

The case has been adjourned to the 20th of this month. Lawyer for the six of the accused persons Victor Kwodjoga Adawudu spoke after the court went on recess.