On July 25, 2022, the Economic and Financial Division of the Accra High Court will determine whether 10 persons, including a medical doctor, senior police and military officers who have been accused of plotting a coup have a case to answer.
This follows the prosecution indicating to the court yesterday that it had closed its case perpetually, after the last prosecution witness, Detective Chief Inspector Michael Nkrumah, an investigator in the case, had finished giving his evidence and crossed examined by the defence counsel.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Yvonne Attakora-Obuobisa, gave out the information to the court, presided over by three justices – Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwi, Hafisata Amalebob and Stephen Oppong. President of the penal, Mrs. Asare-Botwi then ordered the defence counsel and the prosecution to file their submissions by July 12, and that the court was not prepared to entertain any delays from both sides.
At the yesterday’s sitting, counsel for the 4th accused (A4), Johannes Zikpi, Mr. Anthony Lartey, told the court that the interrogation team told his client that they would release him on bail if he (Zikpi) signed a statement written by DC/Insp Nkrumah. He further stated that the interrogation team promised to release him (Zikpi) on bail if he signed a statement dictated by DC/Insp Nkrumah.
The defence counsel further told the court that the information purportedly retrieved from Zikpi was not from his phone. Mr. Lartey further contended that the prosecution witness (DW13) didn’t have any documents to back his claim that Zikpi was employed by the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) Signal Regiment, because he was a communication expert.
However DW13 denied the allegations that Ziplki was compelled to sign statements he did not author and also did not do background checks with the GAF to know Zipki’s qualifications because his investigation did not cover that.
Excerpts of the cross-examination:
Q. I put it to you that A4 was not free to walk about freely during the interrogation?
A. That is true. Investigation is done in a confined room with the suspect and the investigators.
Q. I suggest to you that A4 was truly under arrest from the moment he arrived at the NIB premises on 21 October, 2019.
A. He was informed about his arrest before he was interrogated.
Q. I suggest to you that A4 was truly under arrest during the interrogation.
A. That is true, because if a suspect is not under arrest he cannot be interrogated.
Q. Is it true that you were in and out in the interrogation room at the time of the interrogation of the accused?
A. That is true, but in the case of A4, I was there throughout.
Q. Have you put any written record of A4’s interrogation before this court?
A. Yes, his statement.
Q. By the written statement that he made, you meant Exhibit AQ series. Is that not so?
A. That is so.
Q. Take a look at Exhibit AQ1 and AQ2, and tell this court the first question the interrogation team asked A4.
A. “A case of conspiracy to commit crime, to wit felony, is under investigation.”
Q. Tell this court the first question the interrogation team asked A4?
A. “You are also reminded to consult a counsel of your choice.”
Q. Show this court the last question the interrogation team asked A4.
A. “You are also reminded of your right to consult a counsel.”
Q. I suggest to you that you have not put any written record of A4’s interrogation before this court.
A. That is his statement because that was what transpired in the interrogation room.
Q. It is true that the interrogation team promises A4 that they will have him released on bail if he signs a statement which you will write for him.
A. That is not true.
Q. It is true that the investigation team promised A4 that you will have him released on bail if he will sign a statement that you will dictate to him.
A. That is not true.
Q. It is true that the statement attributed to A4 from a purported telephone extraction of A1’s phone were not found on A1’s phone.
A. That is true. The extractions were found on A1’s phone.
Q. According to you, A4 was employed at the Signal Regiment because of his expertise in communication. True or false?
A. That is true.
Q. When was A4 employed at the Signal Regiment?
A. I don’t know.
Q. What position was A4 employed at the Signal Regiment?
A. He said he is a technician at the signal regiment.
Q. What is the designation or the position to which A4 was employed at the Signal Regiment?
A. I don’t know, because the investigation did not have anything to do with his designation.
Q. Have you checked the employment record of A4 to verify your claim that A4 was employed because his expertise in communication?
A. No.
Q. I suggest to you that A4 was not employed because of his alleged expertise.
A. That is not true, because A4 himself told me that he was employed because of his expertise.
Counsel: My lords, that will be all for the witness.
Zikpi is standing trial with Dr. Mac Palm, Donya Kafui, Debrah, Colonel Samuel Gameli, Warrant Officer Class Two Esther Saan, Corporal Abubakar, Solomon, Corporal Akanpewon and Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Dr Benjamin Agordzo.
