Gregory Afoko described Alhaji Mahama as ‘foolish man’- Witness

One of the police officers who effected the arrest of Gregory Afoko, the man accused of murdering Alhaji Adams Mahama, a former Upper East Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), yesterday testified before the Accra High Court.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Thomas Yaw Agbanyo told the court that Afoko, after his arrest, showed his disdain for Alhaji Mahama by describing him as a “foolish” man whose activities must be curbed.

“In the vehicle, Afoko asked us why we were following ‘this foolish man’ (referring to Alhaji Adams),’’ he said.

The witness said Afoko told the police that he and other people had formed a group that would resist all attempts by Alhaji Mahama to obstruct the work of his (Afoko’s) brother, Paul Afoko, the then National Chairman of the NPP.

DSP Agbanyo said Afoko informed the police that the group was known as “Friends of Afoko”, with about 50 members, and was led by Asabke Alangi, the other accused person who is currently at large.

“He said they will ‘show’ Alhaji Mahama if he prevented Paul Afoko,” he said.

7th prosecution witness

Alhaji Mahama suffered severe bodily injury after a substance suspected to be acid was allegedly poured on him in front of his house in Bolgatanga around 11 p.m. on May 20, 2015. He later died from the injuries.

Afoko has denied any involvement in the murder and pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

DSP Agbanyo, a former Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Upper East Regional Police Command, is the seventh prosecution witness to testify.

Witnesses who have testified in the case include Hajia Zainabu Adams, Alhaji Mahama’s wife.

The prosecution, led by a Chief State Attorney, Mr Matthew Amponsah, intends to call 15 witnesses to prove its case.

Hearing continues today at the court, presided over by Mr Justice Lawrence L. Mensah, a justice of the Court of Appeal sitting as a High Court judge.

Afoko’s defence team is expected to cross-examine DSP Agbanyo.

Facts

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

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 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.

Another group

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 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.