FACT-CHECK: Have 9 people been sentenced to death by hanging over coup plot in Ghana?
Claim: Nine people sentenced to death by hanging over a coup plot
Source: online platform
Verdict: MISLEADING
Researched by Gifty Tracy Aminu
Has an Accra High Court sentenced 9 people to death by hanging over a coup plot in Ghana?
A news article published on July 7, 2024, which is being circulated on WhatsApp claims in it’s headline that: 3 soldiers and 6 others have been sentenced to death by hanging over coup plot” while calling on WhatsApp users to: “Kindly share until the government pardon them.”
A screengrab of the news article circulating on WhatsApp
Fact-Check
GhanaFact checks show the headline of the news article is misleading.
An Accra High Court on January 24, 2024, sentenced 6 persons to death by hanging for plotting to overthrow the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo led government.
The culprits including 3 soldiers were found guilty of conspiracy to commit high treason and they are: Lance Corporal Ali Solomon, Corporal Sylvester Akanpewon, Warrant Officer II Esther Saan Dekuwine, serving officers of the Ghana Armed Forces including Donya Kafui and Bright Alan Debrah Ofosu and Johannes Zikpi (a civilian employee of the Ghana Armed Forces).
Three other persons including Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Dr Benjamin Agordzo, Colonel Samuel Kodzo Gameli and Corporal Seidu Abubakar were not found guilty of abetment to commit high treason and were acquitted and discharged.
Meanwhile, one of the suspects Dr Frederick Yao Mac-Palm died in the course of the trial.
