.JPG "Gregory Afoko")
Court declares Gregory Afoko "fit" to stand trial
Gregory Afoko, the man indicted for the murder of the former Upper East Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Alhaji Adams Mahama, has been declared healthy by the Accra High Court to stand trial.
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The decision reached yesterday by the court, presided over by Mr Justice Lawrence L Mensah, was based on a medical report tendered in by the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) on the health status of the accused.
Mr Justice Mensah read the decision after conferring with the prosecutor, Chief State Attorney Matthew Amponsah and counsel for Afoko, Mr Osafo Buabeng.
“After examining the report with lawyers of both sides, it was discovered that the accused person’s health condition makes him fit for the continuation of the hearing,” the presiding judge said.
Consequently, the court has fixed March 23, 24, 30 and 31 as the subsequent dates for the continuation of the case.
With the case set to continue, the court also ordered the prosecution to mobilise the witnesses it intended to present before the court.
Health situation
The health status of Afoko became a major issue in trial, a situation that led to the court ordering two medical examinations on him and also a directive that he received adequate medical care.
In October last year, the court ordered the Director of Prisons to ensure that the accused received medical care after Afoko appeared in court with a swollen arm.
Based on the court’s order, he underwent surgery at the KBTH.
In January this year, Mr Buabeng informed the court that his client’s condition had deteriorated after Afoko appeared once again in court with a swollen arm.
In view of that the court ordered another medical examination and care for Afoko.
Status
Afoko has pleaded not guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit crime and murder.
Before his health became an issue, Alhaji Mahama’s wife, Hajia Zainabu Adams, was being led by the prosecution to give her evidence-in-chief.
Facts
According to the facts of the case, on May 14, 2015, Gregory’s brother, Mr Paul Afoko, and Mr Kwabena Agyepong, then National Chairman and General Secretary, respectively, of the NPP, arrived in 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 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 Gregory, who was then upset, confronted Mahama but was chased away by some thugs.
Another group
The facts also noted that Gregory and one Asabke Alangdi formed another youth group in their bid to protect persons perceived to be against Nana Akufo-Addo.
It said Gregory 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, Gregory 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.