Afoko came home at 8pm on the day of Adams Mahama’s murder - Elder brother tells court

Elder brother of Mr. Gregory Afoko, the man accused of the murder of the former Upper East Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Adams Mahama has disclosed to the Accra High Court that the accused came home at 8pm on the day of the incident.

Giving his evidence in chief led by Osafo Buabeng, Ishmael John Afoko the defense witness said “On the 20/5/2015 I came from Bolgatanga town to listen to 7 O’clock news on Metro TV. The news lasted for one hour. Shortly I heard the accused person’s motorbike coming to enter into the yard. I got up and entered into my room. The accused pushed his motorbike in and removed the chain and coiled it around the front tyre of the motor and he pressed his alarm. I heard the sound of the alarm thrice. The accused opened his old man’s door and entered to sleep with my father and I went to sleep with my family”

Read full text of the evidence below;

My name is Ishmael John Afoko. I live in Bolgatanga but I’m presently living in Sandema my hometown. The accused is my full blood younger brother.

On 20/5/2015 I was in Bolgatanga. I live in the family house with my brothers, the accused person, Godwin, Moses and my late dad Mr. Francis Asianab Afoko.

Q. On the night of 20/5/2015 through the early hours of the 21/5/2015, could you tell us anything that happened in your family house?

A. On the dawn of 20/5/2015 between the hours of 2 to 3am I heard footsteps behind my window. So I opened my window to see who were there so I asked ‘who are those’? The response I had was that the ‘police’ and I should come out. So I went out through the kitchen entrance. Among the police officers I recognised Thomas Agbanyo (PW7). I don’t know his rank but I remember he was the PRO then he asked me of my younger brother, the accused person. I said he was sleeping with my dad. From the kitchen to my dad’s window is about three steps so I walked to the police by the window and called the accused person. I mentioned his name Gregory. Thomas, PW7, also mentioned his name so he responded and I told him the police were looking for him. He opened the entrance to the living room and myself and the policemen went to the veranda.

Q. From there what happened?

A. I heard the Regional Crime Officer ask the accused person where he was around at 10pm in the night the previous day then the accused person said he was sleeping with his father.

Q. Before you continue could you tell us where you were the previous day between 7pm till the time you slept the previous day?

A. On the 20/5/2015 I came from Bolgatanga town to listen to 7 O’clock news on Metro TV. The news lasted for one hour. Shortly I heard the accused person’s motorbike coming to enter into the yard. I got up and entered into my room. The accused pushed his motorbike in and removed the chain and coiled it around the front tyre of the motor and he pressed his alarm. I heard the sound of the alarm thrice. The accused opened his old man’s door and entered to sleep with my father and I went to sleep with my family.

Q. Could you tell us the health condition of your father around that time?

A. My father fell and broke his hip. He was rushed from Bolgatanga to Accra here for treatment and when he was coming he came with the accused person. After treating and discharging the Oldman from the hospital, he was given some medication because the accused person brought the Oldman from here to Bolgatanga, the accused was the only one who knew how to administer the drugs to him. Through conversation I got to know that the Oldman was given some drugs and the accused was the only one who knew how to administer the drugs to him two hours after dinner.

Q. To the best of your knowledge when was the drug administered to your father by the accused?

A. I believe that my father ate at 6pm and so after two hours that would be 8pm.

Q. And this is in respect of 20/5/2015. Is that not so?