NDC National Chairman, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo
Already stressed by the heated court processes, the embattled national chairman of the National Democratic Congress(NDC) and his lawyers are asking for a breather from the court to enable them restrategize and gather momentum for the still turbulent processes ahead.
According to the lawyers, their client would need some 10 days rest away from the heat to organise his thoughts and return.
They are therefore praying the court to excuse Samuel Ofosu Ampofo for the stipulated period to enable him take that needed rest.
Charges
Mr Ofosu Ampofo and the NDC’s deputy communications officer, Anthony Kwaku Boahen, are facing three charges before an Accra high court over alleged leaked audio.
The accused had indicated in the leaked audio that the NDC intended to use various unorthodox, and obviously criminal, means to advance its 2020 campaign for political power.
Mr Ofosu Ampofo mentioned kidnappings of family members of political opponents as one of the means. He and his colleague have both pleaded not guilty to these allegations.
The court is currently hearing the testimony of Benjamin Ampofo Adjei, a broadcast journalist who interviewed Mr Boahen, shortly after the tape went viral.
Mr Ampofo was not present in court when the case was called yesterday.
His lead counsel, Tony Lithur, told the court that stressful political campaign activities had made the politician suffer a relapse on an already existing ailment.
He said Mr Ampofo had been asked by his doctors to take a 10-day rest.
The trial judge, Samuel Asiedu, granted the request and proceeded to hear the case.
Tony Lithur and lawyer for Mr Boahen, Dr Aziz Bamba, then cross-examined the journalist.
Mr Ampofo Adjei maintained that, despite his inability to draft a witness statement, which he signed, he still stands by its contents.
He, however, told the court that he had no knowledge regarding who recorded the tape, when it was recorded or whether or not the two accused persons were present at the said meeting.
The case has been adjourned to March 18.
