Gregory Afoko
Lawyers representing Gregory Afoko, who is standing trial over the death of Adams Mahama, have expressed shock about alleged comments by Abdul Malik Kweku Baako, Editor in Chief of the New Crusading Guide Newspaper in respect of the case.
According to Osafo Boabeng, lawyer for 52 year-old Gregory, his attention has been drawn to some commentary by the senior journalist on Peace FM’s current Affairs Kokrokoo Morning Show, who made reference to the prosecution’s file.
He stated that the comments by Mr. Baako were “serious and grievous” which could not be swept under the carpet.
Osafo Boabeng, who vowed to furnish the court with the transcribed version of the supposed comments of Mr. Baako, stated that the New Crusading Guide Editor made reference to Matthew Amponsah, the Chief State Attorney in the case file.
Mr. Amponsah, however, urged the defense lawyer to produce the tape for the parties to examine it, denying any interaction with Mr. Baako.
He noted that the public has interest in case before the court.
The judge said Mr. Amponsah must also warn his clerks in the office.
This was after Osafo Boabeng had ended the second phase of the cross-examination of the second prosecution witness in the case, one Zuera Isaka.
Zuera told the court circumstances that led to the death of Adams, the former Upper East Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
She said while Adams was lying on his sickbed; he called her and whispered the events to her in Hausa.
Zuera stated that while at the hospital, the police came to the facility to assess the situation and went back home with the wife of the deceased.
The witness told the court that at the residence of Adams, she saw the gallon, which contained the deadly substance with its cover near the car (crime scene) of the ceased.
The defense counsel stated that Zuera had already told the court that she found the gallon and its cover beside the car of the victim and not at the crime scene.
Osafo Boabeng noted that Zuera had not told the court about any examination to establish the position of the gallon.
Mr. Anponsah disagreed, arguing that the objection of the defense was without merit because at the last adjourned date, the witness told the court that she saw the gallon and its cover at the crime scene.
But the judge, in a ruling, said that given the generality of the evidence of the witness, which generated the defense objection, Zuera had already told the court the position of the gallon and that asking the witness to tell the court again was unnecessary.
The witness further told the court that she went to the house of Adams to meet him wailing and moaning after the attack.
The court further heard that she did not give her statement to the police on the day of the incident but on May 22, 2015, a day after the attack.
Sitting continues tomorrow.
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.
Gregory’s alleged accomplice, Asabke, is still on the run.
By Jeffrey De-Graft Johnson