Mahama Storms Court …Over Ofosu Ampofo Tape

Drama unfolded at an Accra High Court when gurus of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) including former President John Mahama besieged the court yesterday in solidarity with two of party’s officials dragged before it.

Other bigwigs in the party such as Nana Ato Dadzie, Party General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah and Joyce Bawa Mogtari an Aide to former president Mahama adequately represented in court as though their presence would change anything.

Trigger

Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, Chairman of the party had been hauled before the court following a leaked audio tape which revealed Ofosu Ampofo allegedly planning to orchestrate electoral violence.

On the recording, a voice believed to be Mr Ampofo’s the Pentecost Church Elder is heard urging people to take the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs Jean Adukwei Mensa to the ‘cleaners’.

“As for the EC chair, we must wage a relentless war on this EC chair. Me, she doesn’t want to see my face,” Mr Ofosu Ampofo is alleged to have said.

The voice also endorsed verbal attacks on the National Peace Council Chairman, Most Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Asante.

The audio tape also suggests that abductions and kidnappings could be used to silence political opponents.

Charges

Appearing in court the accused persons-the NDC’s Ofosu Ampofo and Deputy Director of Communication, Anthony Kwaku Boahen were slapped with Conspiracy to cause harm.

Ofosu Ampofo is facing additional two counts charge of assault against a public officer.

The two however, denied the charges leveled against them by the state led by the Attorney-General, Gloria Afua Akuffo.

Defense

Tony Lithur, counsel for Mr. Ofosu Ampofo urged the court to grant his client bail while the trial proceeds.

He told the court that Mr. Ampofo is the Chairman of the largest opposition party in the country and is required to be in the country as the election season gradually approaches.

He assured the court that his client would be available whenever he is needed by the court.

Abdul Baasit Bamba who is also lawyer for Mr. Boahen associated himself with Mr. Lithur and added that his client has an alibi which the court would be made aware of at the appropriate time.

Basit described the charges as frivelous and vexatious saying he would prove that at the right time.

The A-G did not oppose the grant of bail.

Bail

The court presided over by Justice Samuel Asiedu granted the two accused persons bail in the sum of GH¢100,000 with one surety each.

The judge also ordered the prosecution to furnish the accused with all the documents and tapes they intend to rely on for the trial.

The case resumes on May 6.

 

By Jeffrey De-Graft Johnson