Exercise Caution in WhatsApp Conversations, Advises Legal Practitioner Following Recent Court Ruling on Alleged Coup Plot
A lecturer and legal practitioner, Gideon Afo, has advised citizens to be mindful of conversations they have on WhatsApp platforms.
His comment comes on the back of a ruling by the Accra High Court in Accra, where six alleged persons, including three soldiers, were convicted of plotting a coup in 2019.
The Court also acquitted and discharged Assistant Commissioner of Police Benjamin Agordzo, Colonel Samuel Kodzo Gamali, and Corporal Seidu Abukakar under the same circumstances.
The judgment was given on Wednesday, January 24, 2024.
In 2019, Dr. Frederick Mac-Palmer, the alleged leader of the plot now deceased, Donya Kafui, Bright Alan Debrah, Johannes Zikpi, Colonel Samuel Kojo Gameli, WO II Esther, Lance Airforce Corporal Ali Solomon, LAC Seidu Abubakar, Corporal Sylvester Akanpkewon, and Assistant Commissioner of Police Dr. Benjamin Kwasi Agordzo were arrested for the alleged coup plot.
It is believed that the coup plotters created a WhatsApp platform to discuss means of executing their plans. Unknowingly, the National Security was monitoring their movements.
Lawyer Afo spoke to the host of Adzekyee Mu Nsem, Felix Ampem-Darko, on Spice FM.
” This should be advice to everyone, especially those on the WhatsApp platforms. Consider the motive behind discussions on platforms. Leave the platform when you realise they do not talk about positive issues but treasonable ones,
It would help if you also were wary of secret gatherings with ill-intent motives. Note that, the National security will be monitoring everything going on.”
On September 19, Dr. Mac-Palm and Kafui were arrested after test firing at the Teshie Military shooting range, adding that a search conducted on the premises of the Citadel Hospital revealed six unregistered pistols, one registered pistol, 22 explosives, three grenades, 63 rounds of ammunition, two empty AK47 magazines, and other machines used in manufacturing weapons.
