Accra, Dec. 18, GNA - Five soldiers who were discharged last Tuesday by the Human Rights Court, have been re-arrested and put before a lower court on charges of conspiracy and murder.

They are held for the murder of Mr Rokko Frimpong, Deputy Managing Director of the Ghana Commercial Bank.

The Osu District Magistrate Court did not take their pleas and remanded them into prison custody to reappear on January 22, 2010.

The soldiers are Sergeant Michael Arthur, Sergeant Richard Somuah, Sergeant Lamptey Hazel, Corporal Charles Ankumah and Corporal Emmanuel Antwi. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Patrick A. Morkeh stated that the accused persons were instructed by their officers to eliminate Mr Frimpong who had uncovered rot involving some government officials. The prosecutor said if Mr Frimpong was not eliminated those government officials would be in trouble.

As a result, the prosecution said, the accused held several meetings and eventually carried out their operation.

For their reward, the accused were allegedly given between GH¢5,000 and GH¢15,000.

The prosecution said four of the soldiers had admitted taking the money but not taking part in the murder of Mr Frimpong, whilst the other denied taking it. In his submissions, Mr Joe Aboagye-Debrah, who represented the accused persons, stated that his clients were innocent and that the facts presented by prosecution were concocted.

Mr Aboagye Debrah said his clients during the trial would prove their innocence.

He said he found it strange that innocent soldiers are arrested over a crime they have not committed.

He said the money in question was ex-gratia paid to the security agencies by the Kufuor Administration and not for the murder of any body.