Alleged Jubilee House takeover : Treason felony charge lacks substance – Suspects’ lawyer

Lawyer for three of the suspects charged with treason felony for alleged Jubilee House takeover says the state’s case lacks substance.

Speaking to Citi FM, Victor Adawudu said, “The facts that support the charge are empty.”

“For every element, as treason, it should mean that you have been in possession of all the [necessary means] to make sure that you are actually going to commit [treason].”

“[For the treason charge] you must prove intention and you must prove that the person had the capacity to do it. So even if you prove intention and cannot prove capacity, the law says that the people should be discharged,” he argued. 

READ ALSO : Alleged Jubilee House takeover: 6 new military officers charged with unlawful possession of firearms

Treason felony

Nine individuals who were accused of plotting to destabilise the country have been charged with treason felony.
The charge was disclosed at the Kaneshie Magistrate court today, October 9, 2019.

The nine include Dr. Fredrick Mac Palm, Col. Samuel Kojo Gameli, Geshong Akpa, WO2 Esther Doku, Lance Corporal Ali Solomon, Lance Corporal Albert Baba Ibrahim, Lance Corporal Sylvester Akapewu and Corporal Seidu Abubakar.

The charge sheet reads: “Conspiracy to commit treason felony 2. Treason felony
3. Possession of explosives, firearms, and ammunition ”.

According to the prosecution, the accused persons are members of an NGO, Take Action Ghana, and they planed to demonstrate and topple the government.

READ ALSO: Alleged Jubilee House takeover: Senior military officer and one civilian remanded

The prosecution added that the accused persons began plotting from June 2019 to September 2019.

In the facts read to the court, the prosecution said after drawing up the plan, Dr. Mac Palm contacted Geshong Akpa to supply weapons for them to be able to carry it out.

They then contacted the senior military officer, Colonel Samuel Gameli and the other soldiers who agreed to join the plan.

Lawyer for the suspects after the court proceedings said he and his clients were expecting to be charged with treason.

The accused persons are reported to have drawn up a plan to target some key installations including the Jubilee House, the Ghana Broadcast Corporation, the National police training school, 37 Military Hospital, and Burma Camp.