General News of Thursday, 18 May 2017

Source: peacefmonline.com

Give me the next joke! - Kweku Baako tells Afoko family

Abdul Malik Kweku Baako, Editor-in-Chief of the New Crusading Guide Abdul Malik Kweku Baako, Editor-in-Chief of the New Crusading Guide

The family members of Gregory Afoko, who is standing trial at an Accra Fast Track High Court in connection with his alleged role played in the gruesome murder of the late Upper East Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, NPP, Adams Mahama have hinted they will petition the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Attorney General on what they describe as "unfair" detention of their relative.

The family stated in a press conference in Sandema in the Upper East that "eventhough, our son, brother and relative has been in incarceration for almost two years in connection with the killing of the late Adams Mahama, we have been very clear in our minds that Gregory Afoko is 'INNOCENT' and that the true killers of the late Adams Mahama are still walking the streets of Ghana as free people".

Gregory Afoko is currently standing trial for the murder of Adams Mahama after preliminary investigations linked him to the crime.

Adams Mahama suffered an acid attack on May 20, 2015, and died after sustaining extensive acid burns and acute respiratory distress syndrome, according to the autopsy report.

Spokesperson for the family, Robert Atong Asekabta, said the recent revelations by the Northern Regional Chairman of the NPP, Daniel Bugri Naabu, regarding the alleged involvement of the Upper East Regional Minister, Rockson Bukari and the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Miss. Otiko Djaba in the killing of the Chairman ought to be taken seriously by the security and the Ghana Police Service.

On that score, he demanded Mr. Bukari, Mr. Naabu and and Miss Djaba be arrested to also assist police probe into the murder of the late NPP Chairman.

"As stated already, it was someone's allegation in connection with the killing of Adams against Gregory Afoko that led to his arrest from his sleep at dawn by the police. Despite his(Gregory Afoko) repeated denials of the act he has been accused of, he is still in prison custody and presently facing trial at the High Court", the Spokesperson indicated angrily.

But commenting on the issue on Peace FM's Kokrokoo, Kweku Baako pooh-poohed on Afoko's family assertions.

"...give me the next joke," he said.

According to him, though the family has the right to petition the IGP; it however doesn't mean there's no "prima facie" case regarding the issue.

He told host Kwami Sefa Kayi that it's the responsibility of the State to provide substantial evidence to prove that Gregory Afoko is guilty of the charges against him but until then the accused is not sentenced yet.

So, he doesn't understand why the family members would purport anything so far as the case is concerned.

He cautioned the Afoko family and any other Ghanaian not to ride on Bugri Naabu's allegations against the Gender Minister, Otiko Djaba.

"Don't let people opportunistically take advantage of the Bugri's rubbish to confuse all of us. Bugri has no peace. He should be ashamed of himself".