The High Court hearing Gregory Afoko’s murder trial has for the second time rejected his application for bail.
Mr. Afoko who is being tried for allegedly killing the Upper East regional chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Adams Mahama, through his lawyer, Safo Buaben, requested for bail at today’s hearing following the inability of the first prosecution witness in the trial Zenabu Mahama, wife of late Mr. Mahama, to turn up in court.
Mrs. Mahama who was expected in court to continue with her evidence in chief could not make it to the court because she was unwell, Mathew Amponsah, Chief State Attorney explained to the court.
Arguing for his client’s bail request to be considered by the court presided by L.L Mensah, justice of the Appeal Court sitting with additional responsibility as High Court judge, Mr. Buaben said Mr. Afoko was ready to comply with any conditions that may be attached to his bail request.
Mr. Afoko, he added, has prominent personalities who are willing to stand surety for him to be granted bail.
Also, he cited the recent Supreme Court’s ruling that expunged non bailable offences from the country’s statute books to push for his client to be giving bail.
But the request for bail was strongly opposed by the Chief State Attorney who urged the court to not only consider the liberty of the accused, but also pay particular attention to the emotions of the family of the deceased as well as the whole country.
The court subsequently refused the bail request and adjourned the case.
