[ 2016-05-13 ]

Gregory Afoko is standing trial for allegedly killing Adams Mahama

Afoko's case: CJ dismisses petition by late Mahama's family
The Chief Justice given green light to the Accra
High Court judge trying Gregory Afoko to proceed
with the hearing of the case in which Afoko stands
accused of murdering the Upper East Regional
Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Adams
Mahama.

The family of the late Mahama petitioned Chief
Justice Georgina Wood over the conduct of the
judge, Lawrence L. Mensah, claiming he has been
overburdening prosecutors with demands such as
ensuring that their witnesses in the matter are
brought in time for a speedy trial.

They also questioned the judge's decision to
remand Afoko in police cell instead of prison
custody. The petition caused the court to
temporarily suspend the trial of the case which is
to be heard by a seven-man jury constituted by the
court.

In court Friday, the judge announced the Chief
Justice's response to the petition, saying the CJ
has asked him [the judge] to proceed to hear the
case on grounds that the content of the petition
did not warrant change of trial judge, TV3's
Godfred Tanam reported.

Afoko Afoko and one other, Asabke Alangdi, who is
on the run, have been charged with two counts of
conspiracy to commit crime and murder. A third
accomplice, Musa Issa, was granted bail after the
Attorney-General had advised it does not have
enough evidence to charge him.

Battle over evidence

Meanwhile, the court has ordered the prosecution
to furnish the defence team with pictures of the
crime scene and all statement of the witnesses the
prosecution intends calling to give evidence in
the case.

It followed an application filed by the defence
counsel led by Mr Ekow Ampah-Korsah. Chief State
Attorney, Mathew Amponsah opposed the application
arguing that it was not mandatory under the law
for the prosecution to provide such documents to
the defence.

He told the court giving such documents to the
defence will mean surrendering the prosecution's
entire case docket to the defence.

But the court disagreed with the prosecution and
ordered that the documents be given to the defence
as it was key in defending the case against the
accused person.

Police cell full

Prosecutors told the court Friday that the Police
cell where Afoko is being held is full, hence
prayed the court to remand him to prison custody,
Tanam reported.

The request of the prosecution came as a surprise
to Afoko as he shook his head while he listened to
the submission of the prosecutors from the witness
box, Tanam added.

Counsel Afoko challenged the request but the
judge overruled that.

The case has been adjourned to May 21 , when
hearing is expected to start in the case.

Facts of the case

It is the prosecution's case that on May 14,
2015, Gregory’s brother, Mr Paul Afoko, and Mr
Kwabena Agyepong, arrived in Bolgatanga for a
meeting.

The late Mahama was said to have organised thugs
to violently attack them for campaigning against
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. The court head thugs
scuttled the planned meeting by the two at the
Asumsolon Guest House.

According to the prosecution, Gregory Afoko who
was upset by the issue confronted Mahama but was
chased out by thugs.

Gregory and his accomplice were said to have
formed another youth group to protect persons
perceived to be against Nana Akufo-Addo.

The prosecution said the accused persons held a
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.

“The deceased returned home around 11:10 p.m.
in his pickup vehicle, with registration number NR
761 – 14, and immediately he parked the vehicle
in front of his house, the suspects went close and
signalled him to roll down the glass.

"The deceased 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.

“The deceased started screaming for help and
his wife, Hajia Zenabu Adams, came to the aid of
the deceased and managed to bring him out of the
vehicle,” the prosecution stated.

Source - tv3network.com|

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