Afoko’s case, others will affect Ghana’s Human Rights records – Amnesty International

Human Rights group, Amnesty International has said the travesty of Justice seen in the Gregory Afoko case can affect Ghana’s Human Rights records on International platforms.

The Executive Director in Ghana, Robert Akoto Amoafo contends the development in Afoko’s case and several others makes a mockery of the country’s legal system.

He’s concerned about the rise in reported acts of human rights violations which seem to be gaining grounds in the country.

“If you look at it carefully, Ghana has reputation for Human Rights Issues globally and in the African sub-region, but these reported cases are likely to bring our Human Rights ratings down.”

His comment follows the reversal of bail granted Gregory Afoko, one of the suspects being prosecuted over the murder of former Upper East Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Adams Mahama, by an Accra High Court.

An Accra High Court presided over by Court of Appeal Judge sitting with additional responsibility as a High Court Judge, Justice Merley Afua Wood, on Monday rescinded the bail granted to Gregory Afoko on March 14 by Justice George Buadi’s Court after the State made an oral application to that effect in Court today, the 15th of July 2019.

Marina Appiah Opare, Chief State Attorney in her submission indicated that the State has cause to be concerned that should the accused person’s bail be allowed to hold, he is likely not to make himself available for the trial.

Lawyer for Gregory Afoko, Sowah Charway, in his opposition to the the oral application of the State said the style adopted by the State can best be described as ambush litigation.

He added that his client will at all times make himself available for trial while he is on bail.

The Presiding Judge after the arguments ruled that based on the facts presented in the oral application of the State, the bail is rescinded.

She further ruled that the court will ensure a speedy trial of the case in order to avert any further delays. The parties will return to Court on Wednesday the 17th of July 2019.

It is expected that the Court will take the plea of the two accused persons and also empanel a seven member jury for the trial to commence.

Background

An Accra High Court on the 14th of March 2019, granted bail to Gregory Afoko, one of the suspects alleged to have killed the Upper East Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Adams Mahama, in 2015.

Afoko was admitted to bail in the sum of ¢500,000 with two sureties, one of which must be justified.

As part of the bail conditions, the court, presided over by Mr Justice George Buadi, also ordered Afoko to report himself to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service every two weeks.