The eighth accused person (A8) in the high treason and abetment trial, Lance Corporal Ali Solomon, has told an Accra High Court that he received GH¢100.00 after a visit to the late Dr. Frederick Mac Palm’s residence somewhere in 2018.
He said the money was handed over to him by Corporal Sylvester Akanpewon (A9), who said it was given to him by Bright Alan Yeboah (A3) for their transportation.
The court, presided over by three justices – Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, Hafisata Amaleboba and Stephen Oppong – heard Ali testifying under cross-examination by Sylvester on Monday that he did not request any money after the visit.
Lance Corporal Ali Solomon said while in the residence of the alleged mastermind of a coup plot, the late Dr. Mac Palm, he did not participate in their conversation, but sat to drink wine.
Even though Ali said he did not participate in the conversation between Sylvester, Bright Alan Yeboah and Dr. Mac Palm, he also did not hear the discussants talking about or plotting to topple the government.
Additionally, it was Sylvester who invited him to pay a visit to the late medical doctor at his residence.
And, again, Sylvester was the one who also invited him to Next Door Beach Resort while he and Corporal Seidu Abubaka were on their way to Teshie to buy fish.
Ali said he and Seidu sat at a different table, hence, could not have participated in the discussion and did not hear anything about a coup plot. He said Sylvester had also never discussed anything about a coup plot with him.
A8 was cross-examined by Cpl Sylvester, Cpl Seidu and Donya Kafui alias Ezor (A2) because they were all represented by one counsel, and by practice a lawyer cannot conduct cross-examination on his or her client. Nevertheless, A8 said he met the deceased as well as Bright Alan Yeboah only once.
Prior to the trial, Ali indicated that he did not know the other accused persons – Donya Kafui, Johannes Zikpi (A4), Colonel Samuel Kodzo Gameli, Warrant Officer Class II Esther Saan Dekuwine and Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Dr. Benjamin Agordzo.
When questioned by the State Attorney, Winifred Sarpong, as to why he did not report the plot to his superiors like others such as Sergeant Sulley Award, Cpl Nii Ankorah and Cpl Natonah did, he answered that he had nothing to report, because he had no idea of the alleged coup plot.
