GHANA: TRIAL STARTS OF EIGHT PEOPLE ACCUSED OF PLOTTING TO OVERTHROW THE GOVERNMENT.

Record ID: 195242

  • Title: GHANA: TRIAL STARTS OF EIGHT PEOPLE ACCUSED OF PLOTTING TO OVERTHROW THE GOVERNMENT.
  • Date: 21st May 1976
  • Summary: 1. GV accused out of police van with guards 0.13 2. GV people queuing to enter court room 0.21 3. SV PAN accused and guards waiting outside and entering courtroom (2 shots) 0.35 4. SV sign 'Military Tribunal in progress' 0.38 5. SV INTERIOR accused into courtroom between guards 0.50 6. GV judge and military tribunal taking seats
  • Embargoed: 5th June 1976 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: ACCRA, GHANA
  • Country: Ghana
  • Reuters ID: LVAENU1ZYLG6894F76B8BPJC8IFU
  • Story Text: Eight people, including six members of the military, went on trial in Accra, Ghana, on Wednesday (19 May) accused of plotting to overthrow the Ghanaian government.

    The accused all pleaded "Not Guilty" to three charges of conspiracy and subversion to overthrow the government in October and November last year. They included retired officers Captain Kojo Tsikata and Lt. Victor Albert Latzoo..
    The Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. K. Gyeke-Dako, opened the case for the prosecution on Wednesday. He said that unfortunately "the brains" behind the diabolical plot to bring down the government, former Brigadier Kattah, was still at large.

    Mr. Gyeke-Dako said Brigadier Kattah was "aggrieved and disgruntled because he claimed to be one of the architects of the January 13 plot that brought the country's leader Colonel Acheampong to power in 1972. Brigadier Kattah was expecting to be called to broadcast the news of the successful coup to the nation but he was not called because an officer thought it irregular to take instructions from Brigadier Kattah who was facing a charge at the time.

    Mr. Gyeke-Dako claimed that Brigadier Kattah tried to enlist several NCOs others in the plot he then hatched against the government. Through several thefts 3,000 rounds of ammunition and 39 Grenades were collected for the planned coup. It was to have taken place on November 27 but government sources were informed and the participants, except Brigadier Kattah, were arrested.

    The trial is expected to last several weeks. The defence case has not yet been heard.
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