Afoko Lawyers Mad With AG

The patience of lawyers for Gregory Afoko – one of the two accused persons being tried over the murder of Adams Mahama, the Upper East Regional chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) – seems to be running out in respect of the Attorney General's delay in offering its advice in the case.

According to Nana Asaa Bonful, lawyer for the 53-year-old farmer and brother of Paul Afoko, the suspended NPP national chairman, the much anticipated advice had been long overdue.

She said the case had been heard for the past six months, insisting that the AG's advice ought to have been ready by now.

While emphasizing her displeasure as a result of the delay in court, Nana Asaa Bonful stated that she was unhappy about the turn of events where the prosecution always came to tell the court that it was waiting for the advice of the AG.

Alfred Adjei-Mensah, lawyer for Issah Musah, the second accused person in the case, shared similar sentiments.

According to him, the prosecution ought to give the defence lawyers a specific time that it was sure the advice would be ready.

This followed another announcement by ASP Stephen Adjei that the prosecution was still waiting for the advice from the AG's department.

He told the court, presided over by Worlanyo Kotoku, that he was hopeful the advice would be ready by November 25, 2015, the next adjourned date, for the trial.

At the previous sitting, ASP Adjei, who was holding the brief for Supt Francis Baah, gave the same excuse that the prosecution was waiting for the AG's advice.

He had told the court that the docket was receiving the necessary attention at the AG's office because the AG was aware of the seriousness of the case.

The senior police officer indicated that the prosecution was not relaxing in that regard and that the police wanted a longer adjournment to enable them have something tangible to tell the court.

Gregory and Issah, who were ushered into the courtroom by stern-looking well armed police personnel, are being tried for intentionally and unlawfully causing the death of Adams on May 20, 2015 at Bolgatanga, the Upper East Regional capital.

According to the police, Issah, who is a member of the NPP, on 19th May, 2015, solicited and procured the deadly acid which he gave to other two suspects who in turn poured the acid on Adams Mahama.

Asabke Alangdi, the third accused, has been on the run together with his wife, leaving behind their one-and-a-half-year-old baby.

Gregory is facing charges of conspiracy and murder while Musah is being tried for abetment.

The plea of the two has not been taken.
According to the police charge sheet, Gregory, after his arrest, was asked to lead the police to the house of his accomplice, Asabke Alangdi, but 'he rather took them to the father's house. Police later located the house of the second accused but he had got wind of their presence and absconded with his wife leaving behind their baby.

'A gallon, which contains some of the substance and a plastic cup, were retrieved at the scene for forensic examination,' the charge sheet added. The police has revealed that a 'post mortem examination was conducted on the body of the deceased and the pathologist gave the cause of the death as shock lungs and extensive acid burns.'

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By Jeffrey De-Graft Johnson