Adams Mahama Murder Case: Court Discharges Gregory Afoko and Asabke Alangde
High Court in Accra cites repeated delays and prosecution absence in ruling to discharge two accused in the high-profile murder case
- High Court discharges Gregory Afoko and Asabke Alangde over prosecution inaction
- Case had been delayed repeatedly despite pleas entered in January 2024 and witness testimonies
- Trial marked the third attempt following hung juries in prior proceedings; jurors formally discharged
The High Court in Accra has discharged Gregory Afoko and Asabke Alangde, who faced charges of murder and conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the death of the late Upper East Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Alhaji Adams Mahama.
The ruling comes after multiple delays and the absence of the prosecution in court during the trial, which had been initiated for the third time following a hung jury in the previous proceedings.
In the second trial, Asabke Alangde was sentenced to death by hanging for conspiracy to commit murder, while the jury was deadlocked on the murder charge. Gregory Afoko faced hung juries on both charges. The court subsequently ordered retrials: for Afoko on both charges and for Alangde on the murder charge.
Despite pleas entered in January 2024 and testimony from several witnesses, the trial faced repeated adjournments, largely attributed to requests from the Attorney General’s office.
On Monday, 1 December, during what was reportedly the seventh or eighth adjournment, the court noted the prosecution’s failure to appear or provide updates. In response, the presiding judge discharged both accused.
The jurors were also formally discharged, with the court expressing gratitude for their service throughout the drawn-out proceedings.
