Afoko files to stop Magistrate Court from hearing murder case

Lawyers for Gregory Afoko, the prime suspect in the murder of the Upper East Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Adams Mahama, have filed an application to stay proceedings at the magistrate court. This is to halt proceedings pending the determination of an application filed at the Apex Court challenging the Nolle Prosequi filed by the Attorney general. In court on Wednesday, counsel for Gregory Afoko told the court they have filed an application to stay proceedings. Though the AG represented by Lilly Atutiga acknowledged receipt of the application she was quick to add she only got a copy at 5pm on Tuesday. The court, presided over by Afua Sackey stopped the moving of the application to stay proceedings to enable the AG to study it and prepare its response. The court therefore adjourned to March 11 for the application to be moved. The application to stay proceedings follows an earlier application at the Supreme Court seeking an order on the state to go back to the high court, that was hearing the case, to continue with the trial of Gregory Afoko which they believe was nearing judgment. Gregory Afoko was on trial before an Accra High Court charged with murder to which he pleaded not guilty. The state closed its case after calling 14 prosecution witnesses, including the wife of the late Adams Mahama, to prove its case against the accused. The accused subsequently opened his defence and vehemently denied the charges preferred against him. The court, presided over by Justice Lawrence L. Mensah, ordered Afoko to file his statement after which the state will respond, and both parties would take turn to address the court before the jury makes a decision. But the state on January 28, 2019 entered Nolle Prosequi to discontinue the matter which has been before the court since 2016. This followed the arrest of Asabke Alangdi, another suspect in the murder of Adams Mahama, who was hiding in Burkina Faso after fleeing the country. By Selorm Amenyah | 3news.com]]>