Attempted coup: There was no need for 'fun fair' in the media - Victor Adawudu

Legal counsel for the three persons suspected to have engaged in a plot targeted at the Presidency, says the government was quick to have relayed information about the alleged coup attempt to the media.

Victor Adawudu is of the view that a serious matter such as coup attempt supposed to be handled privately by security agencies and the court.

“If you want this matter which is a high profile and a very serious matter, it has to be dealt [with] by the security agencies and in the court of competent rejection,” He said.

A few days ago, the media reported that a group of people had been nabbed by the police for plotting to carry out a coup d’état in the country.

The suspected persons - a doctor, Dr Frederick Yao Mac-Palm; a freight manager, Bright Allan Debrah Ofosu; and a local weapons manufacturer, Dornyah “Ezor” Kafui - are before the court.

The Information Ministry said the security agencies that foiled the plan found weapons and ammunition at the Citadel hospital in Alajo, a densely populated community in Accra, where the doctor works.

It listed six pistols, three smoke grenades, 22 IEDs, two AK47 magazines and one long knife and said the swoop comes after 15 months of surveillance.

Government has, on the other hand, called on the media to reduce its reportage on the situation justifying that investigations are ongoing hence further publications will only complicate issues.

Adawudu, however, insists the government is to blame for the kind of reports the media file on the issue.

“You could have allowed the security agencies to say that listen, we have found some cache of ammunition and we are dealing with the situation. It is person for everybody to know but when you come, and you say that the intent or the surveillance was to radicalize the youth to stand against political authority what do you make of it?”

Explaining what process government should have taken he implied, “So if you made an announcement that some activity was going on, they’ve arrested these people and you allow the law to take its own course, after 48 hours you’ve not finished with investigation, you put them before the court.”

He added, “You tell the court we have not finished with investigation, so we want them to be remanded. You give access to their lawyers and families that they are being held here so you can always visit them

According to him, going through the above suggestion “without funfair in the media,” would have lessened anxiety among Ghanaians.