Afoko Trial – third prosecution witness ends evidence in chief

The third prosecution witness in the case involving Gregory Afoko, who has been accused of the murder of the former Upper East Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, on Tuesday, ended his evidence in chief.

The witness, Mr Asigri Quinn, continuing his evidence in chief, told the Court that, when they got to the hospital with Adams Mahama, he was asked to pack the car well and so did not follow them immediately to the ward.

He said upon his arrival at the ward he realized Adam’s bed was wet so he asked Zuweira why his bed was wet and she told her it was the doctor who asked the nurses to pour the drip water on him.

He said at the hospital, he tried calling one Taufic but the line was not going through.

The witness said not long after Taufic entered, and Adams told him as well as his wife that, he knows he (Adams) would die, and that if he dies, it was Gregory and one Asabke who had done that to him. And that if he (Adams) dies, she should send him to his village to bury him there.

Mr Quinn said later, Adams family members started trooping in, so he decided to leave, since he also had plans of travelling the next day.

He told the court that, he left the hospital around 0100 hours when Adams was still in pains before the police came, but later gave his statement to the police.

“I travelled to Sandama very early in the morning, only to be called around 0900 hours that Adams had died”.

During cross examination, by Counsel for the accused person, Mr Osafo Buabeng, the witness told the court that he did not write his statement to the police, but read through it before signing.

When asked whether Adams gave him the keys to his cars, he said Adams gave him a bunch of keys, but upon getting closer to the car he realized the car’s engine was running and the bunch of keys were not for car.

He explained that he has been driving for the past 20 years, and could easily recognize a car key, but because of the situation at that time he didn’t focus on the key he was given until he got closer to the car.

Mr Buabeng asked in what condition he came to meet Adams after he went home to change to send him to the hospital, he said he came back to meet Adams wearing a cloth around his waist and was touching all over his body, pacing to and fro.     

Following this the hearing was adjourned to July 5, for continuation of cross examination.

The Prosecution intends to call 12 other witnesses, in addition to Hajia Adams, Madam Issaka and Quinn.

Gregory Afoko, a farmer, is alleged to have killed Mr Adams Mahama.

Afoko is being held on the charges of conspiracy to commit crime to wit murder and murder. However, he has pleaded not guilty before the Court, which is also composed of a seven-member jury.  

It is alleged that Afoko carried out the act with one Alandgi Asake, who is on the run.

A third accomplice, Musa Issa, was granted bail after the Attorney-General opined that there was not enough evidence to prosecute him.

The GNA earlier reported that on February 23, last year, an Accra District Court committed Afoko to stand trial at the High Court to answer to the charges against him.

The State at the committal proceedings tendered more than 17 exhibits in respect of the trial.

The exhibits include Afoko’s caution and charge statements as well as a post-mortem report of the deceased conducted on November 25, 2015, by Dr Lawrence Edusei; a medical report on the deceased’s wife, who also sustained injuries in her bid to assist the deceased when the incident occurred.

Other exhibits are a gallon containing the alleged residue of acid found at the crime scene, a cup believed to have been used by the assailants in pouring the acid on the deceased, the deceased’s pair of shoes and attire and a piece of carpet in the deceased car.

The rest are various reports from the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), a pair of blue-black track suit belonging to Afoko and photographs of the crime scene.

The Prosecution is being led by Mr Nicolas Amponsah, Chief State Attorney, who told the court that Mr Adams was a contractor, who lived at the Bolgatanga SSNIT Flats in the Upper East Region and was also the NPP Regional Chairman.

According to Mr Amponsah, Afoko also lived in Bolgatanga and was the younger brother of Mr Paul Afoko, a former National Chairman of the NPP.

The State said the accused was also a party activist, and was close to Mr Adams.

On May 20, 2015, Mr Adams left his house to his construction site in his pick-up truck with registration number NR 761-14.

The Chief State Attorney said he returned to the house in the night and at the entrance of his house, two men signalled him to roll down the window of his car.

He obliged and the two men, however, poured acid on him and fled on a motorbike.

Mr Amponsah said Mr Mahama shouted for help and his wife, Hajia Zenabu Adams went to his aid.

He said Mrs. Adams also sustained burns on her chest and breast in her bid to assist the victim.

According to Mr Amponsah, Adams told his wife that it was Gregory and Asanke, who poured the acid on him.

He also mentioned the two accused persons, in the presence of neighbours, as the people who poured the acid on him.

The Chief State Attorney said Mr Adams was rushed to the Intensive Care Unit of the Bolgatanga Hospital where he passed on.

Afoko was picked up at about 02:00 hours in his house and he led the Police to Asanke’s house. Asanke was, however, not available.

A postmortem conducted on the deceased by Dr Edusei indicated that Mr Adams died of extensive acid burns.

Source: GNA