Accra,(Greater Accra Region) 15 Oct. Five members of the Holy Order of Cherubim and Seraphim, a spiritual organisation based in London, were today put before a High Court in Accra for allegedly preparing and soliciting the services of soldiers in Ghana to overthrow the government of Ghana in September, 1994. They are: Alex Offei, alias Kwame Alex, 55, a technician, Kwame Ofori Appiah, 49, a cleaner, Sylvester Addai Dwomoh, 48. a teacher, John Owusu Boakye, 33, a student, all based in London, and Emmanuel Osei Kofi, a driver who is a member of the Ghana branch of the church. The accused pleaded not guilty to treason through preparing and seeking the services and arms from soldiers on guard duty at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) to topple the government. The accused are being tried by a three-member panel, Mr. Justice Richard Apaloo (presiding), Mr. Justice P. K. Owusu-Sekyere and Ms Justice Ivy Ashong. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mr. J.C. Amonoo- Monney, told the court that in 1994, the accused persons (with the exception of Osei), together with one Major Oppong Addai (rtd), conceived and discussed in London, a plan to topple the government. The prosecutor said in furtherance of their plan, they came to Ghana and contacted some people in Lome, Abidjan, and Tema and went back. On August two, 1994, Appiah came back to Ghana and was assigned the duty of acquiring accommodation for the conspirators at Santa Maria, an area in Accra, at a rent of 5,000 pounds for six months. The prosecution said by the end of August, the other accused arrived and sought the assistance of Osei and some soldiers on guard duty at GBC for a fee. The DPP said the accused persons at several meetings held at different places with Major Addai and one Captain James Owoo (rtd), asked the soldiers to recruit more of their colleagues and procure grenades and ''mowags'' for the operation, which was scheduled for Wednesday, August 31, 1994. Mr. Amonoo-Monney told the court that the accused bought mobile phones and gave one to the soldiers in order to facilitate communication. They promised to give each of them three million cedis plus a four-wheel drive Pajero, if the operation was successful. The prosecutor said the soldiers informed the authorities, who advised them to feign interest, while surveillance was kept on the accused. The DPP said at one of their meetings, the soldiers showed six grenades to the accused and told them that they would be given to them in the presence of Major Addai and Capt. Owoo, who were not present at that meeting. Mr. Amonoo-Monney said the soldiers told the accused that the operation should be postponed to September two, by which time the two army officers would be available to take custody of the grenades. The accused persons agreed, and on the night of September one, they were arrested. Major Addai and Capt. Owoo escaped.
Accra,(Greater Accra Region) 15 Oct. Five members of the Holy Order of Cherubim and Seraphim, a spiritual organisation based in London, were today put before a High Court in Accra for allegedly preparing and soliciting the services of soldiers in Ghana to overthrow the government of Ghana in September, 1994. They are: Alex Offei, alias Kwame Alex, 55, a technician, Kwame Ofori Appiah, 49, a cleaner, Sylvester Addai Dwomoh, 48. a teacher, John Owusu Boakye, 33, a student, all based in London, and Emmanuel Osei Kofi, a driver who is a member of the Ghana branch of the church. The accused pleaded not guilty to treason through preparing and seeking the services and arms from soldiers on guard duty at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) to topple the government. The accused are being tried by a three-member panel, Mr. Justice Richard Apaloo (presiding), Mr. Justice P. K. Owusu-Sekyere and Ms Justice Ivy Ashong. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mr. J.C. Amonoo- Monney, told the court that in 1994, the accused persons (with the exception of Osei), together with one Major Oppong Addai (rtd), conceived and discussed in London, a plan to topple the government. The prosecutor said in furtherance of their plan, they came to Ghana and contacted some people in Lome, Abidjan, and Tema and went back. On August two, 1994, Appiah came back to Ghana and was assigned the duty of acquiring accommodation for the conspirators at Santa Maria, an area in Accra, at a rent of 5,000 pounds for six months. The prosecution said by the end of August, the other accused arrived and sought the assistance of Osei and some soldiers on guard duty at GBC for a fee. The DPP said the accused persons at several meetings held at different places with Major Addai and one Captain James Owoo (rtd), asked the soldiers to recruit more of their colleagues and procure grenades and ''mowags'' for the operation, which was scheduled for Wednesday, August 31, 1994. Mr. Amonoo-Monney told the court that the accused bought mobile phones and gave one to the soldiers in order to facilitate communication. They promised to give each of them three million cedis plus a four-wheel drive Pajero, if the operation was successful. The prosecutor said the soldiers informed the authorities, who advised them to feign interest, while surveillance was kept on the accused. The DPP said at one of their meetings, the soldiers showed six grenades to the accused and told them that they would be given to them in the presence of Major Addai and Capt. Owoo, who were not present at that meeting. Mr. Amonoo-Monney said the soldiers told the accused that the operation should be postponed to September two, by which time the two army officers would be available to take custody of the grenades. The accused persons agreed, and on the night of September one, they were arrested. Major Addai and Capt. Owoo escaped.
