The Accra High Court trying the case in which 10 persons are in court for allegedly plotting to destabilize the peace of the Country and also kidnap and kill President Akufo-Addo, has varied the bail sum of the 4th accused person, Mr. Yohannes Zikpi, from two million Cedis, to one million Cedis, with two sureties, each to be justified.
The three-member panel, presided over by Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe, took the decision, after lawyer for the accused, Mr. Anthony Lartey, told the Court his client was unable to meet the conditions set for bail.
The 4th accused, Mr. Yohannes Zikpi, who is facing charges of High Treason, was together with eight others in April 2021, granted GHc2 million bail sum with two sureties to be justified. Unable to meet the bail terms, he applied for bail variation.
In court on Monday, July 5, 2021, lawyer for the accused, Mr. Anthony Lartey moving an application for bail variation, argued that his client is still in custody due to the high bail terms and prayed the Court, for it to be varied from 2million Cedis to one million with only one of the two sureties to be justified.
The State through the Attorney General, Mr. Godfred Yeboah-Dame, opposed the application, arguing that the accused has not demonstrated any circumstance to justify his application.
The Court after listening to the argument from both sides of the Bar, granted the application as sought by varying the sum from GHc2M to GHc1M, but maintained the sureties, each to be justified.
Mr. Yohannes Zikpi is to report to the NIB twice a week, Mondays and Thursdays at 9am. He is also to deposit his passport to the registry of the court.
Also in Court, the defense lawyer, for 4 of the accused persons, Mr. Victor Kodjogah Adawudu, wrote to the court to request for an adjournment for two weeks due to ill-health.
But, the court said it was unable to grant the request because it would delay the trial and also inconvenience the rest of the parties in the case.
The Court, then directed the lawyer’s representative to inform him to ensure his clients are represented in Court on Tuesday July 6, 2021, failing which hearing will go on without him.
So, far, the state has called two of the 19 Witnesses it has indicated it will fall on, to give evidence in that matter.
The second, is currently under cross examination by defence lawyers.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Benjamin Agodzor, Dr. Frederick Yao Mac Palm, and eight others being tried for allegedly plotting to destabilize the state, have pleaded not guilty to six charges.
The man accused of masterminding the alleged plot, Dr. Mac Palm, together with Donya Kafui, Bright Alan Debrah Ofosu, WOII Esther Saan, Johannes Zikpi, Corporal Seidu Abubakar, Lance Corporal Ali Solomon and Corporal Sylvester Akanpewon have all denied charges of High Treason and Conspiracy to Commit High Treason.
Col Kojo Gameli and ACP Dr Agordzo who have also been charged with abetment, have also pleaded not guilty. The Case is adjourned to July 6, 2021.
