The High Court in Accra has sentenced to death by hanging, Asabke Alangdi, second accused, in the trial involving the death of the late Upper East Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Alhaji Adams Mahama.
He was accused of conspiring with Gregory Afoko, in 2015 to murder Mahama.
However, the court has ordered a retrial of Gregory Afoko, who has been in court for over six years in connection with the death of the late Mahama.
This after the decision of the Jury in the case to return a not guilty verdict of 4-3 in both the murder and conspiracy to commit murder charges against Afoko.
The jury returned a unanimous verdict on the charge of conspiracy to commit murder against Alangdi.The jury returned a not guilty verdict of 4-3 in the murder charge faced by the second accused.
AlhajiMahama suffered severe body injuries after a substance suspected to be acid was poured on him in front of his house in Bolgatanga, on May 20, 2015.He later died from the injuries at the Bolgatanga General Hospital.
Afoko was initially the only one standing trial after Alangdi allegedly absconded from Ghana.
After more than three years of trial, the Attorney-General (AG) filed a nolleprosequi on January 28, 2019, to discontinue the trial following the arrest of Alangdi.
Afokofiled a case at the Supreme Court, challenging the nolleprosequi, however, the apex court dismissed the case on the premise that Afoko failed to prove that the nolleprosequi was capricious, unfair and arbitrary in June 19, 2019.
The prosecution said on May 14, 2015, Gregory’s brother, Mr Paul Afoko, and MrKwabenaAgyepong, then National Chairman and General Secretary respectively of the NPP, arrived in Bolgatanga for a meeting.
Mahama, according to the prosecution, organised thugs to attackAgyepong and Paul Afoko, disorganising the planned meeting at the Azumsolon Guest House, accusing them of campaigning against the flagbearer, Nana AddoDankwaAkufo-Addo, and also not notifying him (Mahama) of the meeting.
The prosecution said the police brought the situation under control, and GregoryAfoko, who was not happy about the development, confronted Mahama, but he was chased away by thugs.
The prosecution also claimed that Gregory Afokoand Alangdi formed another youth gang to give protection to people perceived to be against Nana Akufo-Addo.
It said Gregory Afokoand Alangdi held a number of meetings with the youth, and on May 20, 2015, they laid ambush at Mahama’s residence with a substance suspected to be acid.
Prosecution said Mahama returned home around 11:10 p.m. in his pick-up vehicle, with registration number NR 761-14, and immediately he parked in front of his house, Gregory Afokoand Asabke went close and signalled him (Mahama) to roll down the glass.
The court heard that Mahama identified the suspects to be party members and rolled down the glass to talk to them.
The prosecution said the suspects poured the substance, suspected to be acid, on his (Mahama) head, face and other parts of his body and fled on a motorcycle.
Mahama according to prosecution screamed for help, and his wife, HajiaZenabu Adams, went to his aid and managed to take him out of the vehicle.
