Court orders BNI to give murder suspect more time with lawyer

The Accra High Court has ordered the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) to allow Asabke Alangdi, accused of being involved in the killing of Adams Mahama alongside Gregory Afoko to spend more time with his lawyers.

Asabke Alangdi is standing trial together with Gregory Afoko for allegedly killing the Upper East Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Alhaji Adams Mahama, in 2015.

The order by the court followed an application by Alangdi‘s lawyer, Mr Andrew Vortia, that the time allocated to him by the BNI to see his client was not adequate.

Counsel told the court on Wednesday that the BNI allowed him to spend only 15 minutes with his client, a situation that was hampering his efforts to defend him.

He said the actions by the BNI was denying his client his constitutional right to a fair trial.

He prayed the court to order the BNI to allow him to spend at least one hour per session with his client to enable him gather all the facts to represent him.

The court, presided over by Justice Merley Afua Wood, granted counsel’s prayer and ordered the BNI to allow him spend adequate time with his client.

Per the order, the BNI must allow Lawyer Vortia to spend an hour per session with his client instead of minutes.

Not guilty

Afoko and Alangdi have pleaded not guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit murder and murder.

A seven-member jury was empanelled for the trial.

The trial continues on July 26, 2019.

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