Afoko fit for trial

Doctors say 52-year-old Gregory Afoko is medically fit to stand trial over the murder of Adams Mahama, the Upper East Regional Chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Justice L.L. Mensah told the court yesterday that the latest medical report on the accused indicates that Gregory, after examination, is fit to stand trial.

When the case was called on Tuesday morning, Justice Mensah said the court had been provided with the comprehensive report on the accused person’s state of health.

“After a thorough examination of the report by the court together with the prosecution and defence counsel, the accused person is fit to continue with the trial.

“Based on the medical report, the health condition of Afoko makes him fit for the trial,” he underscored.

Afoko, who was in court, was calm throughout the proceedings.

The court later adjourned hearing to March 23, 24 and 31, and asked the prosecution to get its witnesses ready for the trial.

At a previous sitting, the court expressed concern about the delay in the comprehensive health report on the accused as ordered at the last adjourned date.

The court was directed by the deputy director of the Nsawam Prison that the accused person was to be sent to the hospital for an MRI scan on February 9, and for that reason, the case was adjourned to today, March 7.

The hearing of the case had stalled because the accused has since last year been spotting a swollen arm, indicating that he was unwell.

It would be recalled that at the previous sitting, the deputy director of the prison where Gregory was being kept, had told the court that the accused was going for MRI scan based on which the case was adjourned.

The court subsequently ordered the facility to make the medical report of the accused available to the court.

Meanwhile, Justice Mensah has ordered the prosecution, led by Matthew Amponsah, to make their witnesses ready as hearing was about to commence.

Hajia Zainabu Adams, wife of Adams Mahama whose murder has occasioned the trial, has been the first prosecution witness since July 19, last year.

Madam Zainabu told the court during her evidence that her husband said Gregory Afoko, who is the younger brother of Paul Afoko – suspended national chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) – and one Asabke Alangdi poured the deadly substance on him (husband) before his death.

Gregory has been charged with conspiracy to commit crime and murder of Adams Mahama in May 2015.

The accused has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Adams Mahama died of extensive acid burns and shock lungs (acute respiratory distress syndrome), an autopsy report has indicated.

Meanwhile, Gregory’s alleged accomplice, Asabke, is still on the run.