BNI detains ACP Dr Agordzor in connection with coup plot

The Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) has picked and detained Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Dr Benjamin Agordzor in connection with the alleged coup plot for which some accused persons have been charged.

He is said to have connections to the alleged coup plot to destabilise Ghana and for which some people are currently in court facing charges of treason.

Victor Kojoga Adawudu, a member of the legal team of the accused coup plotters confirmed the arrest of ACP Dr Agordzor and said he was picked up on Monday, November 4, 2019.

The former Director of the Transformation Office of the Ghana Police Service is being held by the BNI and as of Tuesday afternoon, [November 5, 2019] he was still in detention and his family had been denied access to him.

He is alleged to have offered some assistance to the alleged lead coup plotter Dr Frederick Yao Mac-Palm and some eight other suspects including military officers, who have also been charged with treason.

Dr Agordzor and another top police chief Commissioner of Police (COP) Mr Nathan Kofi Boakye have been questioned in connection with the matter.

ACP Dr Agordzor’s lawyer, Mr Martin Kpebu told the media that his client’s interrogation on Monday largely centred on a contribution he made on a WhatsApp platform created by the nine other accused persons, to the effect that the conditions prevailing in Ghana were conducive and rife for an Arab Spring-like outburst.

According to Mr Kpebu, his client was confronted with the messages in which he had allegedly advised members of the group who were planning a demonstration to seek police permit.

“And there was another where he said Ghana has conditions which are similar to the Arab Spring."

"This Arab Spring that today if you check in the media, you will get over 40 commentators who have persistently warned that we should take steps to create employment lest we have Arab Spring. These are the reasons for which he is being kept,” Mr Kpebu added.

According to Mr Kpebu, his client sees his arrest and the subsequent charge as a political witch hunt.

He believes this is so because of his famous presentation at the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) where he bemoaned the political interference in the Police Service.

In a radio interview with Accra based Citi FM on Tuesday afternoon [November 5, 2019], Mr Kpebu added that it was unfair for authorities to deny him access to his client.

“I don’t understand, it’s very difficult to comprehend the situation, yesterday night at the time they took him away from the BNI headquarters annex, I was informed that I could come in this morning [Tuesday] and see him so I’ve been here for over an hour now but I have not been given access.”

“His wife was here as early as 6:30 [am] and in actual fact, his wife and other relation are all here. They were told that they will be given access at 8 [am]. 8 came and past no access then subsequently they were told 6 and I came in and I was informed to hung on a bit so they try and get some officers on the line and it’s been over one hour," he added.

The wife of ACP Agordzor, Ms Patience Edem Agordzor on her part said, “I have been here with my family and children, I told them to even allow me to see him from afar, and they said they will not. This is somebody who is very objective, he did not say anything wrong, I know my husband.”