New Jury empanelled, 3rd trial takes off for Afoko

A seven-member jury comprising four men and three women has been empaneled for the third trial of Gregory Afoko.

Appearing in court, both accused persons; Afoko and his co-accused, Asanbke pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The trial judge, Justice Marie-Louise Simmons thus adjourned the case to February 2, 2024, for Case Management Conference.

The prosecution has meanwhile indicated that it would be relying on all 16 previous witnesses as well as the processes.

The two are facing charges of murder and conspiracy to murder in connection with the murder of the then Upper East Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party(NPP), Alhaji Adams Mahama in 2015.

This followed severe bodily injuries suffered by the deceased after a substance suspected to be acid was allegedly poured on him around 11 pm on May 20, 2015, and later passed on at the Bolgatanga General Hospital.

In April last year, there was a hung jury after a 4:3 verdict was entered in favor of Gregory Afoko and a unanimous verdict for Asanbke making him liable for the full punishment for the offense per the law.

Lawyers of the second accused, Asanbke have since commenced appeal processes concerning his verdict.

Gregory Afoko has been in police/prison custody for almost nine years after being arrested in 2015 in connection with the murder