The judiciary is suffering too much from political interference – Kpebu

Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has observed that the judiciary is suffering too much from political interference.

He has therefore urged all citizens to speak up and ensure this situation is stopped.

Kpebu said this after accusing Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of prosecuting Gregory following his “Beef with Paul Afoko”, a senior brother of Gregory who is also a former National Chair of the NPP.

Kpebu had said on the Key Points that in 2016, Paul Afoko asked Mr Akufo-Addo to account for some money accounting to 3000 Pound. That, in his view, resulted in the fury of Akufo-Addo towards Paul Afoko which he later visited on his brother.

“This is great news,” he said.

“The judiciary is suffering too much from political interference, President’s interference in the judiciary is not on, that is not democracy.

“This Gregory Afoko’s case was injustice, just because Akufo-Addo had problems with Paul Afoko, Gregory had to suffer for it.”

On Friday, February 22, the Accra High Court granted Gregory Afoko, the accused person charged with the murder of former NPP Upper East Regional Chairman, Adams Mahama, bail of GHC500,000.

The conditions included two sureties to be justified with landed properties. But after pleading with the court regarding the sureties, the Court reduced it to one.

The court also ordered Gregory Afoko to report to the Chief Investigator, the Regional Crime Officer in Accra, or the Director General of CID once every two weeks, until the case is completed or determined.

Lawyers of Afoko filed for the bail application on Monday, February 17, his third attempt since his trial began 9 years ago.

In court on Friday, February 21, lawyers of Gregory Afoko assured the judge that he has verifiable significant personalities including the accused’s brother’s details, already provided to stand as sureties.

On April 27, 2024, a jury returned a 4-verdict of not guilty against Afoko, on the charges of conspiracy to commit murder and murder.

Following the jury’s verdict, a retrial was to be done for Gregory Afoko while his accomplice, Asabke Alangdi was handed a death sentence after a guilty verdict.

The trial has been adjourned to March 5, 2025, after the court failed to constitute a jury.

Background

Per the brief facts of the case on May 14, 2015, Gregory’s brother, Paul Afoko, and Kwabena Agyepong, then national chairman and general secretary, respectively, of the NPP arrived in Bolgatanga for a meeting.

It stated that the deceased, organised some thugs to violently attack the two, scuttling the planned meeting at the Azumsolon Guest House, for campaigning against the flag bearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and also not notifying him of the meeting.

The Police brought the situation under control and Gregory Afoko who was then upset, confronted Mahama but was chased out by thugs.

Another group

The prosecution further indicated that Gregory and Asabke formed another youth group in their bid to protect persons perceived to be against Nana Akufo-Addo.

It said the accused persons held a series of meetings with the youth and on May 20, 2015 they laid ambush at Mahama’s residence with a substance suspected to be acid.

“The deceased returned home around 11:10p.m. in his pick-up vehicle, with registration number NR 761 – 14, and immediately he parked the vehicle in front of his house, the suspects went close and signaled him to roll down the glass.

“The deceased identified the suspects to be party members and rolled down the glass to talk to them.

“Suddenly, the suspects poured the substance suspected to be acid on his head, face and other parts of his body and fled on a motorbike.

“The deceased started screaming for help and his wife, Hajia Zenabu Adams, went to his aid and managed to bring him out of the vehicle, the prosecution added.

Injuries

According to the prosecution, Mahama’s wife also sustained burns on the right side of her chest and breast while assisting her husband.

It said when she enquired about what had happened to her husband, he told her Gregory and Asabke had attacked him.

Mahama died while being airlifted to Accra for treatment.

Gregory Afoko, who was later picked up, led the police to Asabke’s father’s house.

The police later located Asabke’s house, but he had then absconded with his wife, abandoning their baby in the process.

A post-mortem report on Mahama said he died of shocked lungs and extensive acid burns.

Nii Lante Vandapuye takes over as Nat’l Coordinator for DRIP