Afoko saga: 'Loud silence' of Peace, Christian Councils surprising – Family

The family of Gregory Afoko has questioned the “loud silence” of both the Christian Council and the National Peace Council over the abuse of Mr Afoko’s rights by the state.

According to the family, it petitioned a number of organisations including the Christian Council and the Peace Council to intervene to ensure the fundamental human rights of their son, who is standing trial for the murder of the governing New Patriotic Party’s Upper East Regional Chairman Adam Mahama, were not violated.

Mr Afoko has been in the custody of the state for almost three years.

He was granted bail by an Accra High court in March 2019 and admitted to a bail bond of GHS500,000 with two sureties, one of which must be justified.

However, he was still kept in custody despite meeting all the bail conditions.

A different judge of the same high court recently reversed the bail arguing that Mr Afoko will not show up for trial should he be let go.

But speaking to Valentina Ofori-Afriyie on 505 on Class91.3FM on Wednesday, 17 July 2019, the spokesperson for the family, who is also a private legal practitioner, Nana Yaw Osei, wondered why the NPC and CCG have been silent on the matter, especially when the family members have petitioned them.

He said: “The Ghana Bar Association was petitioned, the Christian Council was petitioned, the Peace Council was petitioned, Amnesty International was petitioned, but we petition you and you don’t even acknowledge receipt and when the chips are down, then you come and make a statement, you can only be covered by the fact that it is better late than never, otherwise, when your voices were needed, it was very silent.”

“Are you not surprised that I’m telling you the family of Gregory petitioned these bodies and are you not surprised that they were loudly quiet? That’s why I’m commending the GBA president for, at least, saying something, it is better late than never. Amnesty International has taken a step, it is better late than never; the rest, have you heard anything?” he quizzed.