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An Accra Criminal Court has adjourned the third retrial of Gregory Afoko’s murder case to April 7, 2025.

Afoko, who has been on remand for nearly a decade at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison, is currently out on GHS 500,000 bail, while his co-accused, Asabke Alangdi, remains on death row.

The adjournment was granted following a request from the prosecution, with the court agreeing to proceed on the new date, provided that the seven-member jury is duly constituted.

Afoko is facing trial for the 2015 murder of the former Upper East Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Adams Mahama. Mahama succumbed to fatal acid burns after being attacked at the entrance of his Bolgatanga residence. Before his death, he reportedly identified Afoko and Alangdi as his assailants.

In April 2024, a seven-member jury unanimously convicted Alangdi of conspiracy but acquitted Afoko of murder and conspiracy to commit murder, delivering a split verdict.

Presided over by Justice Marie-Louise Simmons, the court is set to begin the third retrial once all outstanding matters regarding jury selection are resolved before the next hearing date.

Background

On February 24, an Accra High Court granted Gregory Afoko bail in the sum of GHS 500,000 for his alleged involvement in a conspiracy to commit murder. Afoko, the younger brother of former NPP Chairman Paul Afoko, was accused of plotting with the convicted Asabke Alangdi to kill Adams Mahama, the former Upper East Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

As part of the bail conditions, Afoko is required to provide two sureties, one of whom must be justified.

His legal team had previously filed two unsuccessful bail applications before submitting a fresh request on February 17, 2025. This marked his third attempt to secure bail after spending nearly a decade in custody.

Arrested in 2015, Afoko was accused of orchestrating a fatal acid attack on Adams Mahama outside his residence in Bolgatanga. The trial, which began in 2019, concluded in 2023, but the jury returned a hung verdict on both counts of murder and conspiracy to commit murder against him.

As a result, the court ordered a retrial. Afoko was re-arrested and denied bail after the initial proceedings, but with the recent ruling, he has now been granted bail ahead of his third retrial.

Assembly Members in the Afigya Kwabre South Municipality have demanded the immediate removal of the District Coordinating Director, Yvonne Naboo, accusing her of unilaterally suspending the operationalization of a quarry fund meant to generate revenue for development projects.

According to the assembly, the fund was suspended following an illegal takeover of the revenue collection point by thugs after the 2024 elections.

The members argue that the decision to halt the fund was made without their consultation, affecting the municipality’s revenue mobilization efforts. Speaking to Citi News on March 5, the Assembly Member for the Buoho Electoral Area, Evans Kusi Worae, expressed frustration over the move.

“Our district coordinating director unilaterally suspended the quarry fund without consulting the assembly members, whilst revenue mobilization is one of our main streams for district development.

“In that regard, we are demanding the removal of the district coordinating director since she took that decision alone. Once she’s ready to do a review and give us a detailed explanation informing her decision, we will insist on her removal.” he stated. Additionally, Worae called on the government to pay the outstanding ex-gratia owed to assembly members, emphasizing their dedication and service to the people.

“It is the rightful entitlement of the assembly members. We have sacrificed our time and effort to serve the people. If they refuse to pay the remaining outstanding then it is a clear disregard for the work we have done.

“Even though they’ve started releasing the funds after our press conference, we hope they finish the payments”, he added.

The leadership of the Foundation of Concerned Arts Professionals (FOCAP) has criticized Juliet Asante, the former Executive Secretary of the National Film Authority (NFA), over her recent claims regarding the challenges she faced during her tenure.

The critic follows the actress’s allegations of financial difficulties, lack of support, and even sexual harassment during her tenure in office.

Asante shared the immense challenges she faced after being appointed to regulate and promote Ghana’s film industry.

According to her, she began her journey with the daunting task of establishing the NFA with only a paper mandate and no resources.

However, FOCAP has dismissed her statements as unfortunate, questioning why she did not address these issues while in office if she considered herself a strong woman, likening herself to Yaa Asantewaa.

FOCAP suggested that Asante should have spoken up and taken action at the time rather than voicing her concerns now, which they perceive as an attempt to seek sympathy. The group also argued that it would have been better for her to let “sleeping dogs lie” since she chose not to disclose these challenges during her time in office.

Furthermore, FOCAP labelled Asante’s claims as half-truths, alleging that she often disrespected the board, disregarded its directives, and made decisions without consulting them.

Speaking to Citi News, FOCAP President Kojo Preko Dankwa urged Juliet Asante to be fair and acknowledge her shortcomings during her tenure rather than presenting a one-sided narrative.

“To me, to come out and pretend for public sympathy and make things look like you were trying to do something for the industry, but you were not given help from the board, the question is, did you consult the board in all your dealings? Percentage wise, it is a flaw. So, for me, it is neither here nor there for Juliet to come and speak the way she did, clamoring for sympathy which is not needed,” he stated.

Unknown gunmen reportedly stormed the residence of former Hohoe Member of Parliament, John Peter Amewu, on Wednesday, March 5.

According to Amewu, one of the assailants, who identified himself as a bailiff, claimed they were acting on “orders from above.” The intruders allegedly insisted that Amewu was not properly elected as an MP in the 2020 elections.

At the time of the incident, Amewu was not home. Authorities have yet to provide further details.

The gunmen reportedly fired warning shots, sparking a confrontation with some of Amewu’s supporters.

Speaking on Eyewitness News on Citi FM with Selorm Adonoo, Amewu said, “They said they were there to serve me a notice because I was not duly elected in 2020, hence their decision to serve me. And that the C.I was not constitutional.”

Expressing concern over the incident, he questioned Ghana’s democratic practice and confirmed that his supporters in Hohoe had reported the matter to the police.

Despite the attack, Amewu has declined police protection.