FIVE PERSONS FACE TREASON TRIAL

Five persons charged with treason are to appear before a High Court in Accra today, 15th October. They are Alexander Ofei, alias Kwame Ofei, Kwame Ofori-Appiah, Silvester Adda-Dwomoh, John Kwadwo Owusu-Boakye and Emmanuel Osei Kofi. It is alleged that the accused persons, between July and September 1994, through meetings and plans in London, Abidjan, Lome, Tema and Accra attempted to overthrow the government of Ghana by violent means, in other words to stage a coup. But before their plans could be effected, they were arrested in Ghana. The trial should have begun Tuesday, 14th October, but the prison authorities did not bring the accused persons to court and no reasons were assigned. Accordingly, the Court, which is composed of three High Court Judges as stipulated by the Constitution, adjourned. The panel comprises Mr.. Justice R.K. Apaloo, Miss Justice Ivy Ashong and Mr.. Justice P.K. Owusu-Sekyere, who is presiding. The state is being represented by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr.. J.C. Amonoo-Monney, while the defence team is led by Mr.. Peter Ala Adjetey. End