"Evidence led by the prosecution must be rejected", counsel .

Accra (Greater Accra), 19 Nov. 1998 - Mr S. M. Asante, counsel for Kwame Ofori-Appiah, second accused in the treason trial, today submitted that evidence led by the prosecution was "speculative and inconsistent" and could not ground the charges of conspiracy and treason against his client. He therefore urged the court to reject the evidence and acquit and discharge Ofori-Appiah. Counsel said this when he addressed a three-member panel High Court, which is trying the accused and four others on charges of conspiracy and treason. The others are: Alexander Offei, Sylvester Addai-Dwomoh, John Kwadwo Owusu-Boakye and Emmanuel Osei Kofi. The five who have all pleaded not guilty are in custody. There were accused of plotting to overthrow the government about four years ago, by seeking the help of soldiers on guard at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation. All of them are alleged to be living in London and came to Ghana for the purpose of staging a coup. Mr Asante submitted that there were a lot of inconsistencies and doubts in the evidence from the prosecution witnesses who said the accused persons contacted them to help recruit soldiers to make stage a coup. Counsel submitted that it is unreasonable for one to say that his client came from London and went to the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), which is a security zone, to contact soldiers on guard duty there to plan a coup. He invited the court to find out from the evidence on record whether it could be possible for his client, who did not know any of the guards, to discuss a coup plan with them. Counsel said his client has denied the charges, and therefore if the prosecution has not been able to prove its case, his client should be set free. Mr Freeman Anto-Bonsu, attorney for Addai-Dwomoh, began his address by saying that the prosecution had "woefully failed" to prove that his client conspired with any of the accused persons to stage a coup. He continues his address today.