Gregory Afoko’s bail rescinded, trial begins July 17
Trial of Gregory Afoko, the man who is charged with the murder of Adam Mahama, the former Upper East Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), is set to begin on July 17, 2019, at the Accra High Court.
This followed the committal of Afoko and alleged accomplice, Alangdi Asabke, by the Accra District Magistrate Court.
This is the second time Afoko would stand trial after spending almost four years in prison custody.
Afoko was granted GH¢500,000 bail on March 14, 2019, by the Criminal Division “Five” of the Accra High Court, presided by Justice George Boadi, but the bail was yesterday, rescinded by another high court, presided by Justice Merley Afua Wood, a Court of Appeal judge sitting with additional responsibility as a high court judge.
At proceedings, Chief State Attorney, Marina Appiah Opare, prosecuting, told the court that Afoko would abscond if the bail order was not rescinded.
She explained that the circumstances under which Afoko was granted bail had changed, and said once the trial commenced, prosecution would expedite proceedings.
Counsel for Afoko, Sowah Charwey, who held the brief of O. Sarfo-Buabeng, said the attitude of the prosecution was tantamount to ambush litigation.
“The court should not condone this tactics of ambush litigation just because this person is helpless and powerless,” he said.
Mr Charwey said the first bail was granted by a court of coordinate jurisdiction, adding that “one would have taught that this application should be put before the same court which granted the bail”.
He reminded the court of the pendency of contempt and harbeas corpus application, scheduled for hearing on July 17 and 22, at the High Court, and questioned the motive behind the prosecution’s refusal to arraign the alleged contemnors.
It is recalled that Afoko’s lawyer had filed an application, and urged the court to commit the Inspector General of Police (IGP), David Asante Apeatu, and the Director General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Commissioner of Police (COP) Maame Yaa Tiwa Addo-Danquah for contempt.
First, the IGP and the CID boss failed to appear on June 19, 2019, following an order made by Justice Jennifer Dodoo for the IGP Apeatu and COP Addo-Danquah to explain to the court why Afoko was still in custody.
The case was adjourned to July 3 for ruling, however, the duo failed to show up in court.
Afoko’s trial started in 2016 and was nearing completion after the
prosecution and the defence had closed their cases.
On January 26, 2019, Afoko closed his case after he and John Ishmael Afoko, his
brother had testified.
The prosecution, led by Chief State Attorney,
The facts are that Afoko was accused of killing Adam Mahama, Upper East NPP Regional Chairman.
On May 20, 2015, Mahama left home in the morning at about 7am for his construction site in his Toyota Pick-Up with registration number MR761-14.
He returned home at about 11pm and stopped his vehicle at the entrance of his house.
Prosecution said that as soon he stopped two men signalled for him to roll down the window of his vehicle which he did.
The two men allegedly poured acid on the late Mahama, and fled on a motorcycle.
The deceased screamed for help, and his wife and other neighbours rushed him to the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital where he passed on the following morning.
Prosecution alleged that the late Mahama mentioned to his wife and other witnesses that Afoko and Asabke poured acid on him.
BY MALIK SULLEMANA