One Man Coup Plotter In Court

Accra, Nov 11, Lens -- In what is being seen as a face saving move after their plot to sow fear and uncertainty in the country has boomeranged in their faces, Mr. Kufuor's security operatives hastily arraigned one of the so called coup-plotters, Nicolas Owuoba, before an Accra Circuit Court on Monday on charges that he was in possession of firearm without lawful authority and unauthorized buying of military accoutrements.

When the charge was read out in court on Monday there were snickering among members of the public.

A curious public, whose interest had been excited by reports that some of the so-called coup plotters had been confessing their various roles to the police, and expectant to see these persons in court, went home disappointed and disillusioned.

"So all the hullabaloo about a coup attempt, is this what it is? A one-man coup plotter? So where are those who we were told were confessing?" asked a senior citizen who said he had heard that the coup plotters had been brought to the court and had decided to come and witness the proceedings.

In pleading for bail for his client, Nicolas Owuoba's counsel, Mr. Osei Owusu Esq., told the court that it is not strange for his client, being an Ex-Serviceman to possess those unserviceable gadgets stressing that those gadgets were found on his client's veranda, "if those unserviceable gadgets were found on his veranda, it does not mean he was going to use them for anything," Counsel added.

The court however refused Owuoba bail and remanded him into police custody to reappear on November 15. His plea was not taken.

The Prosecution's case was that last Friday, intelligence information indicated that a group of persons was preparing to disturb the peace and democratic process.

A combined team from Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service mounted an exercise and rounded up the alleged members of the group.

The Prosecution said during the exercise, seven persons including the accused person, were arrested. When the accused person's premise was searched military accoutrements in a military bag, including one "Makorov" pistol and 18 rounds of 9mm rounds of ammunition were found in his bedroom. A wooden box was also found on Owuoba's corridor.

The Prosecution alleged also that the accused bought a set of camouflage military uniform, a pair of military boots, one military helmet, one set military body pack, two military caps, two military raincoats, one military water bottle, one military shovel, three military waist belts, one lanyard (operations) and one lanyard (64 BN) without authorisation.

The state was represented by Mr Augustines Obuor, Assistant State Attorney, and Mr Eric F.A. Agboloso, Chief State Attorney.