Afoko Murder Trial Adjourns

The Accra High Court (Criminal Division) was compelled to abruptly end proceedings in the case involving Gregory Afoko over what was suspected to be interpretation ‘inconsistencies’ in the trial yesterday.

The adjournment follows a ten-minute in-camera meeting between the judge and the parties in the matter.

The court, 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 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, compelling the Judge, L. L. Mensah to adjourn the case.

Even though an interpreter has now been secured, the court was again adjourned hearing until March 1, 2018 over what seem to be interpretation inconsistencies on the part of the interpreter.

Justice Mensah said “…ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the case has to be adjourned and the witness has to come back for further Evidence-In Chief.”

He added: “Sorry, for the inconvenience, but we have to do the right thing…”

Earlier, 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 14:00 hours, 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 1430 hours; 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 allged 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