Source: newsthemegh.com
Gregory Afoko, a murder suspect, had his bail plea denied by the High Court in Accra.
Afoko is charged with killing Adam Mahama, the Upper East Regional Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party, almost ten years ago together with co-defendant Asabke Alangdi, who was recently given the death penalty.
Since his arrest eight years ago, no bail has ever been granted. The case has to be retried after a jury recently returned a 4:3 not guilty verdict.
Stephen Sowah Charway, the attorney for Mr. Afoko, is attempting to get his client released on bond pending the retrial.
He contended that it was unreasonable to continue to retain Mr. Afoko in custody after eight years during a trial that was beset by delays. However, the request for bail was rejected by state prosecutor Dorm Esi Fiadzo.
There has not been an excessive delay, the court, presided over by Justice Louise Simmons, found. The court acknowledged that even though Mr. Afoko has been detained for the last eight years, two separate trials have been held throughout that time, according to both the prosecution and the defense.
Justice Louise Simmons added that only one month had passed since the conclusion of the second trial on April 27, 2023.
She pointed out that as the prosecution had said that they were awaiting the Chief Justice’s assignment of the case, the time in question could not be considered a “unreasonable delay”.
In the meanwhile, she “refused the application for bail and accordingly dismissed same” and invited the applicant to resubmit the application at a later date.