Ofosu Ampofo’s charges held; court dismisses applications to strike out

An application seeking to have the Accra High Court strike out two counts of assault charges levelled against National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Samuel Ofosu Ampofo has been dismissed.

According to the Judge the defence were not fatal and that the charges were evident under the law.

Counsel for Ofosu Ampofo, Tony Lithur during the last hearing on Monday May 27, 2019 argued that it was necessary for the court to make a determination on the application before the continuation of the trial of his client.

Both tenders however were ruled out by presiding Judge, Justice Samuel Asiedu, with a new date set for trial of the accused person to begin.

The judge also dismissed an application urging the court to order the prosecution to make available the diary of action relating to the case of Kweku Boahen, a Deputy National Communications Officer of the NDC.

The dairy of action is a documentary evidence relating to all aspects of the investigations.

Though Lawyers for Mr Boahen produced an alibi stating that he was not present at the supposed meeting where the Attorney General claims the comments inciting the party communicators were made, the application was dismissed.

The 8th of July, 2019 has been set for the court to begin trial.

Background

Samuel Ofosu Ampofo National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Kweku Boahen, a Deputy National Communications Officer of the NDC, were dragged to the court by the Attorney-General for allegedly inciting NDC party communicators to rain verbal insults and also incite violence against the Chairpersons of the Electoral Commission (EC) and the National Peace Council (NPC).

Mr Ampofo was dragged to the court after a leaked audio which state prosecutors allege to be a plot by the NDC leader to commit various crimes.

The two are currently on bail in the sum of GHC100,000 each with one surety after they pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to cause harm and assault on a public officer.