The High Court in Accra has ordered the former National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo and the party’s Communications Officer, Kwaku Boahen, to open their defense in court accused of plotting. to attack the Chairman of the Election Commission and others.
The court, presided over by Justice Samuel Asiedu, a High Court judge sitting as an additional High Court judge, gave the order after stating that the prosecution had proved its case against the two men, so they should give their side of the story.
The message follows the court’s decision in an application to send no case filed by the legal counsel for the accused person filed in November last year after the prosecutor closed the case, arguing that if the prosecutor failed to establish the charges against the defendant, then he did not have a case. to answer.
But the court in its decision rejected the arguments of the defense lawyers and confirmed that the prosecution had made a prima facie case against the accused, and then ordered to open the defense on February 10, 2023.
trials
Mr Ofosu-Ampofo and one of the party’s main communicators, Anthony Kwaku Boahen, are on trial over a recording that shows how the opposition NDC is allegedly plotting crimes in the country and blaming the ruling New Patriotic Party. (NPP).
Among these strategies is to create a general insecure situation in the country through kidnapping, arson and verbal attacks on public officials like the Chairman of the NPC, Prof. Emmanuel Asante, and EC boss, Jean Mensa.
Mr Ofosu-Ampofo was charged with one count of conspiracy to cause harm and two counts of assaulting a public officer.
Mr. Boahen, on the other hand, faces one count of conspiracy to cause harm.
Tape
The controversial tape which is the subject of this trial was tendered in evidence by the case investigator, Detective Chief Inspector Bernard Berko, in evidence-in-chief by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Yvonne Atakora-Obuobisa.
In a tape of over two hours recorded at an NDC communicator meeting somewhere last year, Mr. Ofosu-Ampofo told party members to make life miserable for those he targeted including the Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC) and the National Peace Council (NPC).
The leaked tapes also shed light on how the party will approach its campaign strategy, including what it describes as ‘overt’ and ‘covert’ operations due to the disruption that characterized the Bye Ayawaso West Wuogon Election.
“I want to assure you that I remain the leader of our party, my approach to elections and security has changed completely… and we must manage all human and material resources,” said Mr. Ofosu-Ampofo when he took his turn to address the party faithful as captured on tape.
Forensic Examination
Forensic examination carried out on the leaked audio tapes has confirmed that it is his voice on the tapes.
The investigation carried out by the Israel Institute of Forensic Sciences is to compare the controversial tape with other audio recordings of the NDC teacher when he addressed the party’s supporters at the Police Headquarters in Accra after he was granted police bail.
According to reports, there is a 90 percent chance that Mr. Ofosu-Ampofo’s voice on the tape addressing party supporters is the same as the voice on the leaked tape.
The report also indicated that “There is also an 85 percent chance of coincidence of speech features and disabilities.”
Alibi
Chief Inspector Berko also informed the court that the matter is in court, Kwaku Boahen sought an alibi that he was in Bomfa Achiase in the Ashanti Region on February 3, 2019, when the meeting was held at the NDC headquarters in Accra.
He said a team was formed to investigate the alibi, and a report was made after the investigation.
Source: dailyguidenetwork.com
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