21 hours Ago By Ghana News
Gregory Afoko (L) and the late Adams Mahama (R) The Accra High Court has granted GH¢500,000 bail to Gregory Afoko, with two sureties, after nearly ten years on remand for the murder of Adams Mahama, a former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Upper East Regional Chairman. As part of the bail conditions, Afoko’s sureties must possess verified landed properties. Additionally, he is required to report to the chief investigator, the regional crime officer in Accra, or the Director General of the CID every two weeks until the case is concluded.
This marks Afoko’s third successful bail application, following previous denials in which the court ruled that there had been no unreasonable delay in his retrial. Afoko and his co-defendant, Asabke, who was previously convicted and sentenced to death for conspiracy, are currently facing a retrial for murder, with charges of conspiracy to commit murder and murder. They are alleged to have poured acid on Adams Mahama, leading to his death on May 20, 2015.
Background According to court documents, on May 14, 2015, Gregory Afoko’s brother, Paul Afoko, and Kwabena Agyepong, then NPP national chairman and general secretary, respectively arrived in Bolgatanga for a meeting. The prosecution stated that the deceased, Adams Mahama, mobilized thugs to attack the two, disrupting their planned meeting at the Azumsolon Guest House. The attack was reportedly in response to their campaign against the party’s flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and for failing to inform Mahama of the meeting.
Although the police restored order, Afoko, angered by the incident, confronted Mahama before being chased away by the thugs. The prosecution further alleged that Gregory Afoko and Asabke later formed another youth group to protect individuals perceived to be against Nana Akufo-Addo. They reportedly held a series of meetings with the youth, and on May 20, 2015, they ambushed Mahama at his residence with a substance suspected to be acid.
Mahama returned home at around 11:10 p.m. in his pickup truck (registration number NR 761–14).
As soon as he parked in front of his house, the suspects approached and signaled him to roll down his window. Recognizing them as party members, Mahama lowered his window to speak with them. Suddenly, the suspects poured the substance suspected to be acid on his head, face, and other parts of his body before fleeing on a motorbike.
Hearing his screams for help, Adams Mahama’s wife, Hajia Zenabu Adams, rushed to his aid and managed to pull him out of the vehicle. In the process, she sustained burns on the right side of her chest and breast. When she asked what had happened, Mahama allegedly identified Gregory Afoko and Asabke as his attackers.
Adams Mahama later succumbed to his injuries while being airlifted to Accra for treatment. Following his arrest, Gregory Afoko led police to Asabke’s father’s house. However, by the time authorities reached Asabke’s own residence, he had already fled with his wife, leaving their baby behind.
A post-mortem report later confirmed that Adams Mahama died from shock due to extensive acid burns. MAG/MA.
