By Joyce Danso, GNA
Accra, Dec. 1, GNA – An Accra High Court has discharged Gregory Afoko, a farmer accused of murdering Adams Mahama, former Upper East Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The court also discharged Alangid Asabke, a serving convict who was standing trial with Afoko.
Afoko and Asabke were being held for allegedly conspiring in the murder of Mr Mahama in May 2015.
Justice Marie-Louise Simmons, the trial judge, cited the numerous adjournments the case had suffered, the absence of some jury members and the absence of the prosecution as reasons for the discharge.
She noted that the accused persons had appeared before her for a third trial on charges of conspiracy to commit murder and murder.
The second trial ended with a hung jury, necessitating a fresh trial.
Based on a Bill of Indictment filed on March 22, 2019, the trial before Justice Simmons began last year. The accused persons’ pleas were taken, a new jury empanelled, and some witnesses called.
Some witnesses were later discharged, and the prosecution indicated it intended to call more.
The court, however, recalled that proceedings stalled after six adjournments at the instance of the Attorney-General, who was to take a decision on the matter.
The judge also noted the repeated inconvenience and costs incurred, including payments to jurors each time they reported to court.
On December 1, 2025, which became the seventh or eighth adjournment, no prosecutor appeared to provide the court with updates. Additionally, only five out of the seven-member jury were present.
“In the circumstance, I will discharge the accused persons, and the accused persons are accordingly discharged,” the judge ruled.
The jury was also discharged.
On February 21, 2025, the court admitted Afoko to bail in the sum of GH¢500,000 after he had spent nearly nine years on remand.
Afoko and Asabke were accused of allegedly pouring acid on Mr Adams Mahama on May 20, 2015, leading to his death.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe
1 Dec. 2025