Court dismisses application to put Ofosu Ampofo’s trial on hold

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An Accra High Court has dismissed an application filed by lawyers for National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Chairman, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, seeking to put his trial on hold.

Justice Samuel Asiedu ruled that the application is without merit as it raises no exceptional circumstances meriting a halt of the trial.

Mr Ampofo’s lawyers had earlier filed an application urging the court to strike out the charge of assault leveled against him. The court dismissed that application.

His lawyers are currently seeking to overturn this decision at the Court of Appeal.

Lead Counsel, Tony Lithur, asked that the court halts proceedings pending determination of the appeal.

State Prosecutors, however, opposed the application insisting nothing barred the court from proceeding with the trial since the Court of Appeal has not granted any such request.

Justice Asiedu dismissed the application adjourning the case to October 17, for the state to call its first witness

Mr Ofosu Ampofo is standing trial for conspiracy to assault a public officer and conspiracy to cause harm after he was secretly recorded allegedly outlining plans to cause mayhem.

In a related development, the NDC Chairman was arrested by the police after failing to honour an invitation to report to the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID)

The purpose was for him to assist with investigations into the recent spate of kidnappings and arson in the country.

According to the correspondence inviting him, a suspect accused him of being behind the kidnappings in the country, a situation which informed the police to invite him to assist with their investigations.

But the Chairman declined the invitation. His lawyers described the invitation as “political harassment” and “intimidation.”

Source: Ghana|Myjoyonline.com | Joseph Ackay-Blay |Joy News