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Witness absence forces adjournment of Gregory Afoko’s trial

The Accra High Court was compelled to adjourn the case where two persons are standing trial for the murder of the late NPP Upper East Regional Chairman Adams Mahama in May 2015.

This was due to the absence of the sixth prosecution witness, who had earlier assured the court of his readiness and availability.

The two accused persons slapped with murder charges are Gregory Afoko and Asabke Alangdi.

They have pleaded not guilty.

When the case was called on Tuesday, June 15, a Principal State Attorney Esi Fiadzo apologised and informed the court that the witness had only notified them two hours to the hearing.

“Our witness called only two hours to say he had an emergency and hence would be unable to come. We do apologise sincerely. We have communicated to parties on the other side and we pray the case be adjourned to Thursday,” she said.

Counsel for the accused person Stephen Sowah Charway corroborated the Principal State Attorney’s submission.

“We are aware the witness is not coming, so we agreed to come on Thursday”.

So far, the state has called five witnesses to give evidence and all five have been cross-examined and discharged by the court.

The sixth prosecution witness who cancelled today is expected to mount the box on Thursday.

Why the two are in court

The then Upper East Regional Chairman of the NPP Alhaji Adams Mahama suffered severe bodily injuries after a substance suspected to be acid was poured on him in front of his house in Bolgatanga on May 20, 2015.

Mr Mahama later died from the injuries at the Bolgatanga General Hospital.

Afoko was initially the only one standing trial after Asabke Alangdi allegedly absconded from Ghana.

On January 28, 2019, the A-G filed a nolle prosequi to discontinue the trial following the arrest of the other suspect, Asabke Alangdi, who had been on the run since the incident occurred.

The state wanted to file an amended charge sheet so had to discontinue the first case involving only Afoko but he disagreed.

Mr Afoko challenged the nolle prosequi by filing a case at the Supreme Court.

However, on June 19, 2019, the apex court dismissed the case on the premise that Afoko failed to prove that the nolle prosequi was capricious, unfair and arbitrary.

He was in March 2019 granted bail to the tune of GHC500,000, but the state ignored the court’s ruling and continued to hold the suspect in custody.

Prosecution’s facts

On May 14, 2015, Gregory’s brother, Paul Afoko, and Kwabena Agyepong, the then National Chairman and General Secretary respectively of the NPP, arrived in Bolgatanga for a meeting.

Adams Mahama, the prosecution claimed, organised some thugs to violently attack the two, scuttling the planned meeting at the Azumsolon Guest House, accusing them of campaigning against the flag bearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and also not notifying him of the meeting.

According to the prosecution, the situation was later brought under control by the police, adding that Gregory, who was then upset, confronted Mahama but was chased away by some thugs.

Another group

The facts also claimed that Gregory and Asabke Alangdi formed another youth group in their bid to protect persons perceived to be against Nana Akufo-Addo.

It said Gregory and Alangdi held series of meetings with the youth, and on May 20, 2015, they laid ambush at Mahama’s residence with a substance suspected to be acid.

“Mahama returned home around 11:10 p.m. in his pick-up vehicle, with registration number NR 761-14, and immediately he parked in front of his house, Gregory and Asabke went close and signalled him to roll down the glass.

“Mahama identified the suspects to be party members and rolled down the glass to talk to them. Suddenly, the suspects poured the substance, suspected to be acid, on his head, face and other parts of his body and fled on a motorbike.

“Mahama started screaming for help, and his wife, Hajia Zenabu Adams, went to his aid and managed to bring him out of the vehicle,” the facts of the case presented to the court, explained.

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