Senior army officer denies coup plot

Colonel Samuel Kodjo Gameli, who has been in BNI custody following linkage to a plot to destabilize the government, has denied all allegations.

He has denied knowledge of any attempt by any person or group of persons to destabilize the state and has also expressed same about alleged participation in any meeting or discussions with any person or group of persons to destabilize the state, “be it closely or remotely”.

These were contained in a statement issued on his behalf by his lawyer, Gad Motey.

Col. Gameli together with civilian Gershon Akpa, were picked up by the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) in connection with a coup plot to destabilise the government.

They were charged with possession of explosives, arms and ammunition without lawful excuse when they appeared before the Kaneshie District Court last Friday.

Six more soldiers were arraigned before the Court on Monday, bringing to 11 persons standing trial for the plot.

It started with the arrest of Dr Frederick Yao Mac-Palm, a medical practitioner, Donya Kafui, alias Ezor, a blacksmith, and Bright Allan Debrah Ofosu, a freight manager, by a joint team of security agencies.

‘Common criminal’

Lawyer Motey protested that after his client was arrested on Monday, September 23 by the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), Col Gameli’s wife was only informed about his whereabouts on Monday, September 30.

Even with that, she was not allowed to see him.

According to the statement, Col Gameli does not belong to any pressure group nor has he had any discussions with any person or group of persons to procure or manufacture local arms for purposes of destabilising the state or for any other purpose.

Colonel Gameli bemoans the nature and manner in which he, a senior serving military officer, is being handled by the state, the statement said.

He has considered his treatment as like a “common criminal without the dignity of a serving military colonel”.

“This, he shall take up seriously with the authorities at the appropriate time.”

The statement says the colonel has already begun taking legal steps to have his name cleared.