The High Court in Accra has discharged Gregory Afoko and Asabke Alangde, who were standing trial for murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the 2015 killing of former Upper East Regional NPP Chairman, Alhaji Adams Mahama.
The decision follows persistent delays by the prosecution and repeated absences in court, which stalled progress in what was the third attempt to try the high-profile case.
Afoko and Alangde were earlier subjected to two separate trials. In the second trial, Alangde was convicted and sentenced to death for conspiracy to commit murder, while the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict on the murder charge. Afoko also faced hung juries on both counts, prompting the court to order a retrial for both men in early 2024.
Despite pleas being taken in January 2024 and several witnesses appearing before the court, proceedings were frequently adjourned—most of the delays attributed to requests from the Attorney General’s office.
On Monday, 1 December, after what the judge noted was the seventh or eighth adjournment with no appearance or update from state prosecutors, the court ruled to discharge the two accused persons.
The jury was also formally discharged, with the presiding judge expressing appreciation for their commitment throughout the protracted legal process.
