The suspect Alangdi
The second suspect in the murder of former Upper East Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Adams Mahama, has been arrested in Ivory Coast.
Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, who made this known to the media yesterday, said the suspect, Asabke Alangdi, was arrested on Friday, January 25, 2019.
He said the arrest was made possible through the collaborative effort by Ghana’s security agencies and Interpol, stressing that the fugitive was constantly changing base between Burkina Faso and Cote d’ Ivoire before his arrest.
Asabke is said to have conspired with the first suspect, Gregory Afoko, to murder Adams Mahama.
It would be recalled that the deceased on May 20, 2015, was attacked with acid in front of his house in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region.
Investigations revealed that he was allegedly murdered by two persons, Afoko and Ala Alangdi, but the latter fled Ghana and has been on the run since then.
However, Gregory Afoko, younger brother of former National Chairman of NPP, Paul Afoko, was arrested immediately by the police and has been standing trial for murder since 2015.
The Information Minister said, “While this trial has been ongoing, consistent efforts were underway to apprehend the fugitive, Alangdi. He was arrested on Friday, 25th January 2019 with the assistance of Interpol.”
‘Fresh Trial’
Mr. Oppong Nkrumah said the arrest of Alangdi had necessitated the filing of a Nolle Prosequi in respect of the ongoing trial in the case of the Republic Vrs Gregory Afoko.
He added that “this has been done about an hour ago with the objective of discontinuing the initial trial to enable the two accused persons to be tried together to best serve the interest of justice.”
He announced that committal proceedings for the two accused persons would commence shortly for them to stand trial as soon as possible.
According to him, “The state additionally intends to pray the Chief Justice to assign a dedicated judge for an expedited trial considering the background of the case.”
Assurance
Meanwhile, government has assured all Ghanaians that it would not relent in its efforts to bring the perpetrators of crimes in Ghana to book.
By Melvin Tarlue