By: Beatrice Oppon
The Accra High Court has sentenced one of two persons charged for the murder of former Upper East Regional Chairman of the NPP Adams Mahama to death by hanging.
Alangdi Asabke was unanimously found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder by the seven member panel of Jurors who conducted the trial.
Four members of the Jury found him not guilty of murder and three also found him guilty of the offence.
With regard to his accomplice, Gregory Afoko, the jury by a 4 : 3 majority decision found him not guilty of both conspiracy and murder.
The Judge Justice Afua Merley Wood said the return verdict in respect of Afoko is a hung jury because the panel was unable to reach a decison as required by law.
In view of this, the Court has ordered a re-trial of Afoko.
Prior to the verdict being pronounced, the Judge gave a summary of the evidence adduced before the Court and an analysis of the law on the case, after which the jury was retired to come up with its decision.
The Jury has since been discharged by the Court.
Counsel for Afoko informed the Court that the Defence will make a formal application for bail for his client prior to the start of his retrial.
Afoko and Asabke were accused of pouring a substance believed to be acid on Mr Adams Mahama on the night of May 20, 2015 leading to his death.
They however denied any knowledge of the murder and pleaded not guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit murder and murder.