Adam Mahama murder case: Court to hear motion for stay of proceedings

February 28, 2019

6 minutes read

BY MALIK SULLEMANA

The Accra Central District Court, will on March 11, hear a motion for stay of proceedings in the case in which Gregory Afoko and one other are charged for the murder of Adam Mahama, the former Upper East Regional Chairman of New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Consequently, the case has been adjourned to enable the Attorney General to respond to the motion.
Afoko was discharged few weeks ago from the Nsawam Prison, following the arrest of Alangdi Asabke, his alleged accomplice in Cote d’Ivoire on January 25, 2019.
He was subsequently rearrested and fresh charges preferred against him together with Asabke.
On February 12, counsel for Afoko alleged that the accused was not discharged by the Accra High Court where he stood trial for conspiracy and alleged murder of the late Mahama.
Mrs Benedicta Antwi, who held the brief of Osarfo Buabeng that defence did not come across such order from the court after a search.
She said the defence team had filed a writ at the Supreme Court to challenge the decision of the Attorney-General (A-G) and Minister of Justice to discontinue the murder trial at the high court.
Counsel said the writ urged the court for an order directed at prosecution to go back to high court for continuation of the case.
Mrs Atutiga, contended that claims by counsel of accused that he was not discharged by the high court were mere allegations.
Ms Sackey asked the defence to file a formal application for stay of proceedings and serve the A-G.
Afoko and Alangdi, who have been charged with conspiracy to commit crime and murder, made their first appearance on January 29 and remanded into Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) custody.
They were said to have allegedly poured acid on Mahama in Bolgatanga on May 20, 2015.
Alangdi was arrested by International Police (INTERPOL) and handed over to Ghanaian authorities, having been on the run for almost four years.
The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice filed a nolle prosequi to discontinue the trial of Afoko, when his counsel and the prosecution were due to file closing address on February 8 and February 19.
Afoko, who kept a calm demeanor, accused the police of embellishing lies as he was taken into custody.
Chief Inspector Maxwell Oppong, then prosecuting, told the court the accused were both farmers and lived in Bolgatanga.
He said on May 20, 2015, the late Mahama left home for construction site in his vehicle, with registration number NR 761-14.
The prosecutor said Mahama returned home around 11:10pm in his pick-up and immediately he parked the vehicle in front of his house, Afoko and Asabke went close and signalled him to roll down the glass.
He told the court that Mahama identified the accused (then 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.

Consequently, the case has been adjourned to enable the Attorney General to respond to the motion.
Afoko was discharged few weeks ago from the Nsawam Prison, following the arrest of Alangdi Asabke, his alleged accomplice in Cote d’Ivoire on January 25, 2019.
He was subsequently rearrested and fresh charges preferred against him together with Asabke.
On February 12, counsel for Afoko alleged that the accused was not discharged by the Accra High Court where he stood trial for conspiracy and alleged murder of the late Mahama.
Mrs Benedicta Antwi, who held the brief of Osarfo Buabeng that defence did not come across such order from the court after a search.
She said the defence team had filed a writ at the Supreme Court to challenge the decision of the Attorney-General (A-G) and Minister of Justice to discontinue the murder trial at the high court.
Counsel said the writ urged the court for an order directed at prosecution to go back to high court for continuation of the case.
Mrs Atutiga, contended that claims by counsel of accused that he was not discharged by the high court were mere allegations.
Ms Sackey asked the defence to file a formal application for stay of proceedings and serve the A-G.
Afoko and Alangdi, who have been charged with conspiracy to commit crime and murder, made their first appearance on January 29 and remanded into Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) custody.
They were said to have allegedly poured acid on Mahama in Bolgatanga on May 20, 2015.
Alangdi was arrested by International Police (INTERPOL) and handed over to Ghanaian authorities, having been on the run for almost four years.
The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice filed a nolle prosequi to discontinue the trial of Afoko, when his counsel and the prosecution were due to file closing address on February 8 and February 19.
Afoko, who kept a calm demeanor, accused the police of embellishing lies as he was taken into custody.
Chief Inspector Maxwell Oppong, then prosecuting, told the court the accused were both farmers and lived in Bolgatanga.
He said on May 20, 2015, the late Mahama left home for construction site in his vehicle, with registration number NR 761-14.
The prosecutor said Mahama returned home around 11:10pm in his pick-up and immediately he parked the vehicle in front of his house, Afoko and Asabke went close and signalled him to roll down the glass.
He told the court that Mahama identified the accused (then 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.