Bright Alan Debrah Ofosu, one of six individuals sentenced to death by hanging for attempting to overthrow the government, has been granted bail pending the hearing of his appeal. The High Court approved a bail amount of GH¢2.5 million, requiring two sureties to be justified, which allows him temporary freedom while his appeal is being processed.
Debrah, a fleet manager by profession, was convicted along with five others on charges of conspiracy to commit high treason and committing high treason in November 2023. The court determined that the group was guilty of plotting to destabilise the country and overthrow the constitutionally elected government.
The six convicted individuals include Donya Kafui, also known as Ezor (a blacksmith); Bright Alan Debrah Ofosu; Johannes Zikpi (a civilian employee of the Ghana Armed Forces); and three soldiers: WO II Esther Saan Dekuwine, L/Cpl Ali Solomon, and Cpl Sylvester Akanpewon. All were sentenced to death by hanging following a lengthy trial.
The case, which has been one of the most high-profile treason trials in Ghana’s recent history, also saw the acquittal of ACP Dr. Benjamin Agordzo, Colonel Samuel Kodzo Gameli, and Corporal Seidu Abubakar, who were found not guilty of abetment and conspiracy charges.
The conviction followed years of legal proceedings that began in April 2021, when the accused were first charged with various counts of high treason, abetment, and conspiracy. The prosecution, led by former Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame, called 13 witnesses, including seven military officers, during the trial.
Source: Hanson Agyemang
