Afoko walks free after 11-years murder trial collapse in Adams Mahama case

The long-running murder trial involving Gregory Afoko, accused in the 2015 killing of former Upper East Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Adams Mahama, has come to a dramatic end after the High Court in Accra ordered his discharge.

His alleged accomplice, Asabke Alangdi, who had earlier been convicted in a related process, was also freed by the court, effectively bringing the nearly 11-year legal battle to an abrupt close.

The ruling was delivered by Justice Marie Louise Simmons, who cited persistent delays and repeated failures by the prosecution to proceed with the case as the basis for the decision.

Trial Collapses After Repeated Delays

Afoko and Asabke were facing their third trial on charges of conspiracy to commit murder and murder after an earlier jury returned a hung verdict. The fresh trial, which commenced in 2024, stalled after prosecutors managed to call only five out of sixteen witnesses before proceedings ground to a halt in November 2024.

When the case was called again on Monday, December 1, 2025, the court found that the prosecution had once again failed to appear. Only five of the seven jurors were present, despite the state having continued to bear the cost of juror allowances during the numerous adjournments.

Justice Simmons revealed that between April and November 2024, the case had been adjourned about six times, all at the request of the prosecution. Describing the December 1 sitting as the seventh or eighth inactive adjournment, she ruled that the continued delay violated the principles of fair trial.

“I will discharge the accused persons,” the judge declared, dissolving the jury and thanking members for their service.

Afoko Previously Granted Bail After 10 Years on Remand

In February 2025, Afoko was granted bail in the sum of GH₵500,000 with two sureties after spending almost a decade in custody. The prosecution did not oppose the application, acknowledging that the defence was capable of meeting the bail conditions.

Afoko had already endured two failed trials—one that collapsed in 2019 and another that ended in a hung jury in April 2023, with a 4–3 split in his favour.

Gregory Afoko is the younger brother of former suspended NPP National Chairman, Paul Afoko.

How the Murder Unfolded

According to prosecutors, the chain of events began on May 14, 2015, when Paul Afoko and then NPP General Secretary Kwabena Agyepong travelled to Bolgatanga for a party meeting. Adams Mahama was alleged to have mobilised supporters to disrupt the gathering after suspecting internal political manoeuvring.

Tensions escalated after police restored calm, with Gregory Afoko allegedly confronting Mahama and being chased away by his supporters.

Prosecutors claimed that Afoko and Asabke later mobilised a group of youth in retaliation. On the night of May 20, 2015, Mahama was ambushed outside his home around 11:10 p.m. while seated in his pick-up truck. Believing the attackers were party members, he lowered his window—at which point acid was poured on him.

Mahama’s wife, Hajia Zenabu Adams, rushed to his aid and suffered burns while assisting him. Before being airlifted to Accra, Mahama reportedly named Afoko and Asabke as his attackers. He later died from shock to the lungs and extensive acid burns, as confirmed by a post-mortem report.

Arrests and Aftermath

Police later arrested Afoko, who led officers to the residence of Asabke’s father. However, Asabke had already fled with his wife, leaving behind their infant child. He was later arrested and charged.

With Monday’s ruling, both accused persons are now legally discharged, closing one of Ghana’s most controversial and politically sensitive murder cases.