No interpreter for Afoko murder trial

The absence of a Frafra interpreter yesterday brought the trial of Gregory Afoko at an Accra High Court (Criminal Division) to a standstill.

The prosecution was expected to call its sixth witness to testify in the case in which Afoko has been accused of murdering Adams Mahama, the then Upper East Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

When the case was called, Mathew Amponsah, a senior State Attorney, told the court that the witness was ready to testify but prompted the presiding judge that the court could not provide an interpreter as requested.

According to him, he had told the court’s registrar last Thursday of the need for the court to provide the interpreter since his sixth witness could only speak Frafra.

He was therefore surprised that the court could not provide the interpreter.

Osafo Buaben, defence counsel for Afoko, stated that the court must grant his client bail due to these reasons.

He said what the state attorney told the court sounded as though there is no one in the Judicial Service who speaks Frafra.

The presiding judge, Justice L.L. Mensah, who had earlier indicated that the case must end by June this year, did not take kindly to the explanation by the state attorney.

He indicated that he was not aware of the challenge and if it had been communicated to him, he would have done something about it.

According to Justice Mensah, he does not want to lose a single day as he keeps saying the case must end by June 2018.

He added that it is surprising that “a big case like this” was called but could not be heard because a Frafra interpreter is not available.

He subsequently adjourned the trial to February 8, for the sixth prosecution witness to give his/her evidence.

Afoko is being tried for conspiracy to commit murder and murder.

He has pleaded not guilty before the court, which is composed of a seven-member jury.