The judge informs alleged coup plotters that they are not against them.

One of the three judges on the panel that is trying the suspected coup plotters, Justice Stephen Oppong, has encouraged the defendants to dispel any notion that the court is biased against them.

He claimed that because the panel was just there to carry out its duties, the accused should refrain from suggesting that the judges were biased against them.
In response to two of the defendants' requests to testify in Buli, Lance Corporal Ali Solomon and Corporal Sylvester Akanpewon, he made the remark.

The panel, which was presided over by Justice Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwe, rejected the request yesterday, citing the fact that they did not make it clear while they were taking pleas.
Only Bright Alan Debrah and Kafui Donya requested that their plea be taken in Twi or Ewe, respectively, according to the trial high court; the remainder were told to plead in English.

LAC Ali Solomon (A8) and Cpl Sylvester Akanpewon (A9) had previously indicated they intended to testify in Buli and had even spoken with their legal counsel about it.
At this point, His Lordship Oppong addressed the defendants and said, "You guys want to imply we are against you. Just carrying out our duties.

Eight other defendants, including Dr. Frederick MacPalm (A1), are on trial with LAC Ali Solomon and Cpl Sylvester Akanpewon.

The other accused persons are Donya Kafui aka Ezor (A2), Bright Alan Debrah Ofosu aka Bright Alan Yeboah aka BB (A3), Johannes Zikpi (A4), Col. Samuel Kodzo Gameli (A5), WOII Esther Saan Dekuwine (A6), Corporal (Cpl) Seidu Abubaka (A7) and Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Benjamin Kwasi Agordzo (A10).
Second defendant (A2) begins the defense

Kafui Donya alias Ezor testified in court that Sergeant Award Sulley, the prosecution's third witness (PW3), invited him to Accra to fix guns and make musketry pipes.

He claimed that Sergeant Awarf Sulley informed him that the Military High Command would use the firearms.
He claimed that PW3 brought two additional firearms to be test fired alongside him and the late Dr. MacPalm. For this, they were both detained, and the guns were seized.
Because his attorney was not present, he stated in his main testimony, which was led by the court, that the muskets and weapons he fixed were not intended for criminal use.

Her Ladyship Asare-Botwe explained the options available to him as an accused person before he gave his main evidence, including that by law Ezor was not required to say anything or remain silent and could instead give an unsworn statement during which the prosecution would not question him and/or give a statement under oath during which all other attorneys and the prosecution would be free to cross-examine him.

A2 decided to begin his defense by making a statement under oath, which was the final choice.
The court further stated to the other defendants, whose attorneys were not present in court for a variety of reasons, that, in accordance with court practice directives, any attorney who is absent himself or herself will allow his or her client to conduct his or her own cross-examination.

These grounds led the accusers, Cpl. Seidu Abubaka and LAC. Ali Solomon The court ordered Cpl Sylvester Akanpewon and ACP Benjamin Kwasi Agordzo (A10) to conduct their own cross-examinations without the assistance of an attorney.

The way the court prompted A2 to testify was as follows:

Can you give the court your name again?
A. My name is Donya Kafui.
Is there another name you go by?
A. Ezor.

Where do you call home?
B. Alavayo.
What kind of work do you do?

A. I'm a blacksmith, steel bender, and welder.
A witness statement was taken in your place on January 30, 2023.
A. Yes.

Please have a look.
A. Yes, it is my sworn testimony.

A2 narrating his testimony: I work as a blacksmith and a farmer. In Hohoe Municipality, I was nominated as the Best Farmer in 2011. I offer my skills as a wielder because of my expertise... I received a call from a soldier in Accra in July 2019... Sulley, Dr. He took me to the home of Dr. MacPalm after picking me up at 37 bus stops. As soon as I arrived, Sulley Awarf asked me to fix some firearms for him.

I was taken to the Citadel Clinic after declining Sulley Awarf's offer to stay with me at Burma Camp. In addition to bringing me several guns to fix, Sulley Awarf began cutting the pipes for the musketry. For the Military High Command, he claimed. Sulley Awarf brought two firearms to a test firing with Dr. MacPalm in September.
Suley fired the guns, the troops detained us, and the weapons were taken. Sulley Awarf was never mentioned again. I have not produced any firearms with the intention of committing [a] crime.

Rita Kutin Ali, an attorney for A3, is cross-examining the witness.
A3 in this case, Bright Alan Debrah Ofosu, do you know, Kafui?
A. Yes.
Can you tell the court how you came to know Mr. Alan Deborah, Mr. Kafui?
A. When Sulley took me to visit Dr. MacPalm's home, I got to know A3, Mr. Bright Alan.
Q. If I understand you correctly, you first met A3 at A1's home. Is that accurate?

A. That's true.
Do you recall the time you first met A3 at A1's home?
A. It was a Sunday, though I can't remember the specific day.
A. So, on that Sunday, except A3, who else was present at A1's home when you met A3?

A. There were just the four of us there.
Can you identify these residents of the residence, Mr. Kafui?
A. Sulley, Alan Debrah, Dr. MacPalm, and I.

Do you recall A3 discussing any plans to topple the government with you when you two first met that Sunday at A1's home?
A. No, ma'am.

A: When you first came in Accra, was it the only time you encountered A3?
A. We spoke twice.
When did you first meet A3 again?
A. I don't remember the precise day, but I ran into him again when he came to the hospital.
Which hospital do you mean when you say "hospital"?

Hospital run by Dr. MacPalm, A.
Did A3 share his aspirations to topple the government with you when you first met him?
A. No.

A. Did A3 tell you about his ambitions to create weapons that would be used to topple the government?
A. No cross-examination for Nos. A4 to A10.
Prosecution's cross-examination
Q. You mentioned in your primary evidence, Mr. Ezor, that you are a blacksmith and a welder.

A. Yes.
Can you tell the court how long you've been working on this?
A. About thirty years.
Who do you collaborate with?
A. I enlist aid when I am given jobs that are labor-intensive and demanding.
So, do you work by yourself?

A. Yes.
How often do you find employment outside of Alavayo?
A lot of times.
What do you typically do, then?

A. My travels are primarily for steel bending projects.
Q. You mentioned that you travel frequently. Can you tell the court where in Ghana you went to work bending the steel?
A. I visit Accra, Ho, Juapong, and Kpeve.

Q. You mention travelling to Accra to fix guns as well as for funeral musketry in your main proof. How frequently have you visited Accra to fix muskets and firearms for funerals?

A. As I already explained, I travel to different locations to complete steel bending projects.
You said you traveled to Accra to fix firearms and make pipes for funeral musketry.
A. I have never performed such a task before.
In Alavayo, do you produce muskets and musket pipes as a blacksmith?

A. I only fix weapons; I don't make them. I fix rifles and single bars (barrels) made locally.
You also mention funeral musketry; what types of funeral musketry weapons do you produce?
A. My lady, we cut the pipes by one foot with funeral musketry.
What do you typically put in the pipes, then?

A. Only powder for guns.
Q. You also mentioned that PW3 contacted and asked you to come to Accra to work for him. Is that accurate?