Afoko Trial: Fourth prosecution witness testifies
The prosecution in the case involving Gregory Afoko, who has been accused of the murder of former Upper East Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, on Thursday presented its fourth witness.
The witness, Mutala Taufic, told the court that, he is a building contractor and together with the deceased, Mr Mahama lived in Bolga, and that, they had been very good friends for the past 20 years, as well as members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
He said he had also known the accused person, Gregory for the past 25 years in Bolga, a man who had dreadlocks (rastaman) and was a member of the NPP as well.
When asked where he was on May 25, 2015, Mr Tuafic told the court that he was at home in the morning, but visited the deceased at a site where he (Mahama) was constructing a house close to the Ex-Tee Hotel on the Bolga-Tamale road.
He said he met the deceased, Mr Mahama at the site and they stayed there till about 1800 hours even after the workers had left.
Mr Taufic said on that night, although there was no light in the area, the deceased had to meet some NPP youth from Bawku at the Ex-Tee Hotel so they went there together. The meeting ended at about 2230 hours.
He told the court that Mr Mahama told him he would be meeting some party executives the next day so he should call to remind him, after which he left with one Zakaria on a motor bike, whilst Mr Mahama left in his pick-up.
According to the witness on their way, when they got to the junction leading to Mr Mahama’s house, they parted ways and he went home.
Mr Taufic said he was home, when Mr Mahama’s wife called to inform him that a substance had been poured on her husband and that they were on their way to the Bolga Hospital.
“When I got there I saw the deceased lying on the bed in pain and wailing. He was also lying half naked with a piece of cloth covering his private part,” he said.
He said he saw Mr Mahama’s wife, and two others, Zuriah Issaka and Asigiri Quinn at the emergency ward.
He said: “when he realized my presence he asked me to get closer to his bed. He held my hand and whispered into my ears that he knew he was going to die so I should take care of his family and that Gregory and one Asabke were the ones who poured the substance on him”.
The case has since been adjourned to October 30, 31 and November 1.
At the previous hearing the defence counsel ended the cross- examination of the third prosecution witness.
The Prosecution intends to call 11 other witnesses, in addition to Hajia Adams, Madam Issaka, Quinn and Taufic.
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 Asabke, 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 and lives 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 signaled him to roll down the window of his car.
He obliged, however, the two men 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 Asabke, 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 Asabke’s house. Asake was, however, not available.
A post mortem conducted on the deceased by Dr Edusei indicated that Mr Adams died of extensive acid burns.
Source: GNA