Adams Mahama murder case: Court discharges Gregory Afoko, Alangde

The High Court in Accra has discharged Gregory Afoko, the farmer accused of murdering Adams Mahama, former Upper East Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and one other. 

Afoko had been accused of conspiring with Asabke Alangdi, who had already been convicted, to murder Adams Mahama in May 2015.

In court last Monday, the trial High Court presided over by Justice Marie-Louise Simmons, discharged the accused persons on the grounds that the trial had been adjourned more than six times without any activity.

The court also dissolved the jury, which had only five members out of seven in attendance. 

Accusation

According to the facts of the case, on May 14, 2015, Afoko’s brother, Paul Afoko, and Kwabena Agyepong, then-National Chairman and General Secretary respectively of the NPP, went to Bolgatanga for a meeting.

Alhaji Mahama, the prosecution claimed, organised some thugs to violently attack the two, scuttling the planned meeting at the Azumsolon Guest House, while accusing them of campaigning against the then-NPP flag bearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and also not notifying him (Mahama) of the meeting.

The situation, according to the prosecution, was later brought under control by the police, adding that Afoko, who was then upset, confronted Mahama but was chased away by some thugs.

The facts also noted that Afoko and one Asabke Alangdi formed another youth group in a bid to protect persons perceived to be against Nana Akufo-Addo.

It said Afoko and Alangdi held a series of meetings with the youth, and on May 20, 2015, they laid an ambush at Mahama’s residence with a substance suspected to be acid.

“Mahama returned home around 11:10 p.m. in his pick-up vehicle, with registration number NR 761-14, and immediately he parked the vehicle in front of his house, Afoko and Asabke went close and signalled him to roll down the glass.

“Mahama 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.

“Mahama started screaming for help, and his wife, Hajia Adams, went to his aid and managed to bring him out of the vehicle,” the prosecution said.

Sentencing

In April 2023, Alangdi was sentenced to death by hanging by the Accra High Court after a seven-member jury unanimously found him guilty of conspiracy to commit murder.

Afoko was, however, to be retried after the jury returned a 4-3 verdict of not guilty on the charges of conspiracy to commit murder and murder.

That was the second time the accused persons were being tried at the High Court since the first one did not fully end.

Alangdi has since appealed his sentence but has been brought back to the dock to stand trial with Afoko for the conspiracy charge against the latter.

Before the third trial would commence, Afoko, after nine years on remand, was admitted to bail, pending trial this year. 

He was granted bail in the sum of GH₵500,000 with two sureties to be justified. 

Since the third trial commenced, the prosecution has called five witnesses, with the case suffering subsequent adjournments at the behest of the prosecution, leading to the discharge of the accused.