Crime & Punishment of Wednesday, 14 October 2015

Source: GNA

Police waiting for A-G's advice in Afoko, Issah case - Prosecutor

Gregory Afoko under arrest Gregory Afoko under arrest

The prosecution, in the case of Gregory Afoko and Musah Issah who are being held for allegedly pouring acid on the late Upper East Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Mr. Adams Mahama, say they are waiting for the Attorney-General’s advice.

Superintendent Francis Baah, the prosecutor, told an Accra Magistrate Court on Tuesday.

Mr Alfred Agyei Mensah, counsel for Issah, said they were in the hands of the court since they did not know whether the AG’s advice would be ready in two weeks’ time.

When the court presided over by Worlanyo Kotoku demanded from prosecution whether they had made any follow-up on the case at the AG's Department, the prosecution said since the issue involved murder, they needed to tread cautiously.

Ms Bridgette Ampem who held brief for Mr Ekow Korsah, counsel for Afoko, prayed the court to admit their client to bail following the development.

The prosecution contended that if the case was any other one, it would have ended by now.

While Afoko is being held for murder, his accomplice, Musah, has been charged with abetment of crime.

Their plea have not been taken.

On July 10, the Magistrates’ Court presided over by Mr Worlanyo Kotoku, admitted Issah to bail in the sum of GH?20,000.00 with four sureties.

He is to report to the Criminal Investigation Department of the Ghana Police Service before noon from Monday to Thursday until the case is disposed of.

In the case of Afoko, an Accra High Court refused him bail, saying there had not been any unreasonable delay in the matter.

The court presided over by Mr Justice K.A Okwabi noted that the facts and charges were properly laid and they connect Gregory to the crime.

In May, while he was on his way home, Mr Mahama was attacked with acid, and later died in hospital.

He reportedly named some of the persons who attacked him.

According to the Police, Afoko after his arrest, was asked to lead the Police to the house of his accomplice, Asabke Alangdi, but “he rather took them to the father’s house.”

The Police said they later located the house of the second person, but the suspect having gotten wind of their presence, absconded with his wife, leaving behind their baby.

A gallon, which allegedly contained some of the substance and a plastic cup were retrieved from the scene for forensic examination,” the police stated.

The Police said: a “post mortem examination was conducted on the body of the deceased and the pathologist gave the cause of the death as shocked lungs and extensive acid burns.”

Issah was arrested for allegedly buying the acid used for the attack.

The matter has been adjourned to October 27.