The High Court in Accra has admitted Gregory Afoko to bail in the sum of GHc500,000the after nearly a decade on remand in the case in which he is standing retrial for the alleged murder of the late Upper East Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Adams Mahama.
In addition to the bail sum, the Court presided over by Justice Marie-Louise Simmons ordered him to produce two sureties one of whom is to be justified with a landed property.
As part of the bail conditions, Afoko is to report to the police – that is – the case investigator.
In his absence, the Court said he should report to the Regional Crime Officer (Greater Accra) or Director General – CID once every two weeks until the case is determined.
Justice Mrs. Simmons has also directed the Registrar of the Court to verify the authenticity of any documents presented and the place of residence in Accra of the accused and the sureties to be known to the police.
This comes after his previous bail applications were denied, with the court citing no unreasonable delay in his retrial.
Afoko and his co-defendant, Asabke, who was earlier convicted and sentenced to death for conspiracy, are currently facing retrial for murder.
The two have had their plea retaken, and the fifth prosecution witness has already been discharged, with the six expected before the Court presided over by Justice Marie-Louise Simmons.
They are alleged to have poured acid on Adams Mahama, leading to his death on May 20, 2015.
Bail application
In Court on Friday, February 21, 2025, Stephen Sowah Charway while being led by Nana Yaw Osei Esq., moved their bail application for him.
While relying on the processes filed, counsel said the accused had men of substantial means to stand as sureties with their details already provided to the Court.
Counsel also told the Court that, brother of the accused Paul Afoko is also ready to stand as surety for him and has a fixed place of abode.
He also urged the Court to admit the applicant to bail in terms that are favorable and would be ready to avail himself to stand trial.
“He had two main trials – one was aborted in 2019 and the other went through full trial and jury returned verdict on April 27, 2023, precisely two years ago,” Counsel argued.
“In support of our application we have provided particular of two sureties in addition to that I have also taken instructions that the applicant brother Paul Afoko is also prepared to stand surety for him.
“We respectfully pray the court to consider the circumstances of this case and give a favorable bail condition that will enable the applicant to be released on bail from custody without any bottlenecks,” Mr Charway told the Court.
EIB Network’s Legal Affairs Correspondent, Murtala Inusah reports that the Prosecution did not opposed to the grant of bail to Afoko who would be 10 years in custody on May 21, 2025.
Background
Afoko’s previous trial ended in a hung jury, with a 4-3 not guilty verdict in his favor on April 27, 2023.
The court has ordered a retrial, which is currently underway with the substantive trial
adjourned to the case March 5, 2025.
Brief facts
The brief facts of the case, were that on May 14, 2015, Gregory’s brother, Paul Afoko, and Kwabena Agyepong, then national chairman and general secretary, respectively, of the NPP arrived in Bolgatanga for a meeting.
It stated that, the deceased, organised some thugs to violently attack the two, scuttling the planned meeting at the Azumsolon Guest House, for campaigning against the flag bearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and also not notifying him of the meeting.
The situation, according to the prosecution, was later brought under control by the police, adding that the accused, who was then upset, confronted Mahama but was chased out by thugs.
Another group
It also noted that Gregory and Asabke formed another youth group in their bid to protect persons perceived to be against Nana Akufo-Addo.
It said the accused persons 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.
‘The deceased 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, the suspects went close and signaled him to roll down the glass.
The deceased 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.
‘The deceased started screaming for help, and his wife, Hajia Zenabu Adams, went to his aid and managed to bring him out of the vehicle, the prosecution added.
Injuries
According to the prosecution, Mahama’s wife also sustained burns on the right side of her chest and breast while assisting her husband.
It said when she enquired about what had happened to her husband, he told her Gregory and Asabke had attacked him.
Mahama died while being airlifted to Accra for treatment.
Gregory, who was later picked up, led the police to Asabke’s father’s house.
The police later located Asabke’s house but he had then absconded with his wife, abandoning their baby in the process.
A post-mortem report on Mahama said he died of shocked lungs and extensive acid burns.
