The High Court in Accra has ordered Gregory Afoko and Asabke Alangde, the two persons standing trial for the death of New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Upper East Regional Chairman, Adams Mahama, to open their Defence and respond to charges.
Afoko and Alangde are being accused of the acid incident which led to the death of the NPP Regional Chairman on May 20, 2015 They have pleaded not guilty to two charges of conspiracy and murder.
On June 14, State Prosecutors closed their case after parading 16 witnesses but lawyers of the accused persons, per the law, filed their respective submissions of no case to answer on grounds that, the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses have not established a prima facie evidence against them, that warrant that, they respond to the charges.
Ruling on the submission of no case on Friday, October 7, the court presided over by Her Ladyship Justice Efua Merley Wood, said the elements of prima facie evidence have been established by the prosecution.
The court also ruled that, for the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses to be believed, it would be fair to hear from the accused persons.
Justice Merley Wood, a Justice of the Court of Appeal sitting with an additional responsibility as a High Court Judge ruled that, the court is satisfied that, the prosecution has made sufficient evidence that requires the accused persons to open their defence.
Consequently, the submission of no case was overruled and the accused persons, each, called upon to mount the witness box.
The case has been adjourned to November 2, 2022 for Afoko, the first accused to open his defence.
