Afoko Juror Falls Sick

The Accra High Court (Criminal Division) has adjourned the murder case involving Gregory Afoko, younger brother of suspended National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) – Paul Afoko.

This was because a member of the seven- member jury was indisposed when the case was called for hearing yesterday.

According to the judge, Justice L. L. Mensah, the jury was not set so the reason hearing would be adjourned until March 15, 2018.

The judge was optimistic the juror could have been well at the set date.

The case has suffered over four adjournments over the past few weeks.

In February, the court was compelled to abruptly end proceedings over what was suspected to be interpretation ‘inconsistencies’ in the hearing.

The court, again on February 6, 2018, adjourned hearing because of the unavailability of a Frafra interpreter to translate the evidence of the sixth witness- Awafo Akelesiya who only speaks the Frafra language.

Matthew Amponsah, a Chief State Attorney had told the court that the registrar had told him there was no Frafra interpreter to assist in the trial although the witness was in court.

Early on, the witness Awafo, beginning his evidence in chief, told the Court that he knew the accused person, as well as Adams Mahama, as the New Patriotic Party’s Upper East Regional Chairman, until his demise.

He said he also knew the fifth Prosecution Witness, in the case, Dominic Apaaya Baba from Bolgatanga Zorbisi area, as the polling station secretary for the area.

Also, he said, he knew one Asabke, now at large, as the NPP’s Bolgatanga Tangu Junior Staff Quarters Polling Station Organiser.

He told the court that on May 16, 2015, at about 2 PM, he was home when he received a call from Gregory, but Asabke was the one who spoke to him and invited him to a meeting at the Central Hotel.

He said when he got to the Hotel at about 2: 30PM; Gregory and Asabke as well as Dominic and others were already there.

He said when the meeting started, Asabke told members that the meeting was called for them to get to know each other.

The accused also mentioned that the meeting was also for them to be united to help the Party as well as the regional chairman.

Gregory, 52 is in the dock over the alleged murder of Adams Mahama, the Upper East Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The prosecution intends to call 13 witnesses in the trial.

Gegory has been charged with conspiracy to commit crime and murder of Adams Mahama in May 2015.

Meanwhile he has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Adams Mahama died of extensive acid burns and shock lungs (acute respiratory distress syndrome), an autopsy report has indicated.

By: Jeffrey De-Graft Johnson/ thePublisher