Afoko Trial – Defence prays for a second chance to present witness
The defence counsel in the case involving Gregory Afoko, accused of murdering the former Upper East Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has prayed the court for a second chance to present their second and probably last witness.
The court at the previous sitting rejected the prayer of the defence to adjourn the matter to January 25, because their witness was not available.
The court subsequently ordered them to present their witness on January 21 or the court would consider them to have closed their case and parties would be asked to file their addresses.
However, on Monday when the case was called, Madam Benedicta Antwi, who was standing in for Mr Osafo Boabeng, for the defence, prayed the court to give them a second chance to present their witness on January 24.
She said after all the efforts to reach the witness, he pleads with the court that he can be in court on January 24.
Madam Antwi however assured the court that if on January 24, the witness was not in court, the defence would close their case.
The prosecution, who was represented in court by Madam Annette Barnes standing in for Mr Mathew Amposah, in response told the court that, the adjournment was not at their instance, however, they were not opposed to the adjournment.
The court presided over by Justice Lawrence. L. Mensah, said at the last adjourned date the court intimated that, if the defence fails to call its next witness, today, January 21, 2019, it would be deemed that they have closed their case.
He said the prosecution called 14 witnesses, and so if the accused person has two or three witnesses the court would oblige them to also present the two witnesses.
To this effect he said the court was adjourning the case reluctantly.
He said given that the defence prayer for a second chance to bring their witness on January 24, the case is adjourned to January 24 for continuation.
Afoko, a farmer, is alleged to have killed Mr Mahama on May 20, 2015, and he is being held charges of conspiracy to commit crime and murder.
He has pleaded not guilty before the Court, which is also composed of a seven-member jury.
It was alleged that Afoko carried out the act with Alandgi Asabke, who is on the run.
Source: GNA