Mahama murder: Return not guilty verdict for Afoko – Lawyer urges Jury
Lawyers of Gregory Afoko, the farmer who has been standing trial together with one another has urged the seven-member jury to return a not guilty verdict in his favour. Afoko and Asabke Alangde, a Station Master have both been accused for pouring acid of the late New Patriotic Party’s Upper East Regional Chairman Adams Mahama. Prosecution witnesses have alleged that the late Adams prior to his passing on to glory on May 20, 2015 mentioned Afoko and Asabke as the two persons who poured the corrosive substance on him. The two accused standing trial for two charges of conspiracy and murder have pleaded not guilty and though the first trial of Afoko was truncated in 2019 following the arrest, the second trial is on the verge of conclusion. Prosecution led by Mrs Marina Appiah Opare has paraded 16 witnesses including Chief Inspector Augustus Nkrumah, Inspector Charles Agbenyo, Hajia Zenabu Adams the wife of the late Adams among others to close their case. Afoko also opened his defence and called his elderly brother John Ishmael Afoko who was present when he was arrested as his only witness while Asabke testified without calling any witness. Addressing the jury following the conclusion of evidence before Justice Afua Merley Wood, a Justice of the Court of Appeal sitting as an additional High Court judge, Lawyer Charway urged the jury to return a not guilty verdict for his client. “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the two accused persons; A1 (First Accused) is Gregory Afoko and A2 Asabke Alangde,” counsel stated. “They stand accused of conspiring to murder the late Adams Mahama by pouring acid on him on the night of May 20, 2015.” Counsel said it’s been almost 8 years since the case started after an abortive first trial and lengthy second trial which started on 2020. “I’m standing before you to make a case for my client Afoko that he was not responsible for the unfortunate incident that happened on May 20, 2015,” he stated. Golden rule in criminal justice While pointing to the golden rule in the criminal justice system that, all elements of guilt must be satisfied by the prosecution proving beyond reasonable doubt. Counsel said it is for the prosecution to prove beyond reasonable doubt every single element of the offence against the accused. Counsel explained that “it is for the jury such as you to be satisfied that you are sure after the evidence that an accused is indeed the one that committed the offence as charged.” “You have heard all the 16 witnesses of the prosecution over the 3 year period and you have also heard the accused and the oral submissions, the evidence of the accused and the supporting evidence,” counsel explained. Reasonable doubt Counsel said, “my question to you is that after hearing all the evidence can it be said with certainty? Can it be said it is beyond reasonable doubt that A1 and A2 conspired to pour acid on the late Adams Mahama on the night of the incident?” Counsel said “My simple answer is that is not the case and in this address, I’m going to set out in specific details that Mr Gregory Afoko was not responsible and by extension mr Asabke.” Inconsistencies Lawyer Charway took time to point out the inconsistencies in the testimonies of some of the key witnesses in the matter. Counsel said on November 25, 2020, “we heard the evidence of PW1 Tofiq Murtala and he told the court that when he got to the hospital the deceased specifically mentioned the names of the first and second accused.” “Tofiq Murtala told us that there were certain people around and mentioned one Mariam Razak.” Counsel said one Asigri Quinn, PW2 also mentioned specifically hospital staff doctors and nurses when the deceased arrived and said the deceased was so audible that those immediately around heard the names. Lawyer Charway said Tofiq Murtala went ahead to talk about the police officers who came to the hospital after the incident led by DSP Agbenyo who came there to enquire about what had happened to the deceased and he mentioned the names of the first and second Counsel however drew the jury’s attention to that fact that, “We were in this court that DSP Agbenyo and PW15 testified and heard what they witness.” Counsel said, “We heard a complete contrast to what Tofiq told the court that the deceased mentioned the accused persons names.” Counsel said DSP Agbenyo said, “he never spoke to the deceased and deceased never mentioned names as against the Tofiq.” More contradictions Counsel again highlighted the inconsistencies in the testimonies and said “We also heard Asigri Quinn,(PW2) and Zuwera Isaka, (PW5), we know they were one of the first people who visited the scene after the incident and they were the ones who transported him to thw hospital.” They also indicated that the deceased while being escorted to the hospital amidst the Qur’anic recitation, mentioned the names of the two accused. Counsel however said, “Isn’t surprising therefore that all though Mr Quinn claimed he had expressly said he heard the deceased mentioned the names of the accused persons, it was interesting the wife said he did not hear his husband mentioned names.” Counsel said Quinn and Zuweira who were with the deceased when he was being sent to the hospital gave two different conflicting accounts of what had happened. Wife of deceased Lawyer Charway also pointed out the contradictions of the PW8 – Hajia Zenaib Mahama, the wife of the late Adams Mahama. Counsel said, the wife said the deceased mentioned the names of the accused persons in the house when he was shouting after the incident, in a complete contrast to other witnesses. No finger print evidence Counsel also pointed out that, though finger prints were taken of the accused persons on the exhibit of the gallon and a cup, the outcome was not disclosed in court because it did not match with the fingers of accused. Counsel
Approving ministers: Some MPs were given money but I can’t say it was a bribe – Gomoa East MP
Member of Parliament (MP) for Gomoa East, Desmond De-Graft Paitoo, in the Central region has said the directive from the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to the minority to vote against government’s ministerial nominee probably came late. The Gomoa East MP’s comments follow the recent approval of government’s ministerial nominees by some Minority member. According to the Gomoa East MP, the directive came at a time some of his colleagues may have advanced their steps with the Majority side and, so, it was a bit late to withdraw. The Gomoa East MP who was speaking to Nana Otu Darko on CTV’s Dwa Br3 Mu, 29 March 2023, said: “The old people in Parliament were engaged long ago before we came. So by the time we came and the party was whipping us, whipping us seriously, issuing directives to everybody; do this, we’ll vote against; by then some of our people, the way they were already married [to the Majority], it was going to be difficult for them to come back. “I told one of the guys that the way we come for meetings and we’re directed to vote against the Ministers, and nobody was questioning them or anything, I’m afraid, I’m afraid to the extent that some have already taken certain steps and it would be difficult to withdraw.” On whether or not the Minority was bribed into endorsing government’s nominees, the MP noted that he could not expressly say that was the case. He explained that: “So if they say some took bribe, I can’t really say it was a bribe but some people were given money, but they were given money based on the relationship they had with the other side. “Me, nobody brought me some.” He added that: “It [the directive to vote against the ministerial nominees] came late.” —Classfm—
If Ghana had two of the likes of his Lordship Alexander Graham in every region, the justice system will…–SRAN
Savanna Research and Advocacy Network (SRAN), in a press release has said, they appreciate the principled judicial position taken by His Lordship Justice Alexander Graham on not meeting interested people in the mining cases before him. According to SRAN, if Ghana had two of the likes of his Lordship Alexander Graham in every region, the justice system would regain its reputation as a beacon of hope for the rule of law. Read the full release below: PRESS RELEASE JUSTICE AT LAST! BOLGA, 27TH MARCH, 2023 Ladies and gentlemen of the media and civil society, we are grateful to you for keeping faith with us through thick and thin. We appreciate the principled judicial position taken by His Lordship Justice Alexander Graham on not meeting interested people in the mining cases before him. It gives us the hope and confidence that there can be justice in this our judicial system. That despite the rough, influence buying and nepotism in this country there are few people in our state institutions who can rise above these ills in our society that are dragging us to Armageddon. If Ghana had two of the likes of his Lordship Alexander Graham in every region, the justice system would regain its reputation as a beacon of hope for the rule of law. In the absence of judges like His Lordship Justice Alexander Graham, many have suffered a great deal of oppression, humiliation and even lost their lives. Kudos to civil society organizations in the region such as National Patriots Against Injustice & Corruption (NAPAIC), Talensi Mining Communities Initiative (TAMCI), Savannah Research & Advocacy Network (SRAN), etc. for their vigilance and prompt action whenever their surveillance trackers discover injustice against the people, especially in the mining communities. You would recollect that in 2019, the Concerned Citizens of Talensi, a pressure group that emerged to advocate for community development, equity and responsible mining that protects life, property and the environment, raised concerns about the purported behaviour of the Paramount Chief of Talensi Traditional Council. The group accused him of interfering and using his power as the Paramount Chief to abuse land owners, other traditional authorities who don’t agree with him, and claiming to have supervisory jurisdiction of lands, water bodies and trees in Talensi. You would also recollect in the famous Edward Adeti Expose’ that former Regional Minister and Minister of State in Charge of Special Duties, Mr. Rockson Bukari, at the presidency was caught on tape saying that the Paramount Chief of Talensi had asked him to kill the story of an investigative journalist because it would implicate Shaanxi. Here is a clear case of a state official wanting to kill a story that is unfavourable against a foreign mining company that is engaged in unsavoury exploitation of our mineral resources. What happened last Friday, 10th March 2023, is testament in support of the Concerned Citizens of Talensi that they have been making the right calls all these many years, for justice, responsible and sustainable mining in Talensi. We call on the Minerals Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Talensi Traditional Council, the District Assembly and all stakeholders to come together and unite the community to ensure that mining is done responsibly and beneficial to the community and the people of Talensi. This press release is not to go over what NAPAIC has already recounted but to reinstate what we have been advocating for all these years. That we are not against mining, but we want to ensure that mining is done responsibly and benefits communities where it is undertaken. That the state must have a share, in fact hold some shares in the mining companies in order to generate income for Ghana as a whole and Talensi land in particular. That health and safety needs of miners are guaranteed and miners allowed joining trade unions to fight for their interest and miners must be paid decent wages. So far our experience of large scale mining in our communities has shown that our communities have not benefited from mining. Shaanxi/Earl International has been operating for years and we are yet to see what benefits have come to our people. What has been the benefit of local content? Roads are destroyed, water bodies are diverted, farmlands confiscated, livelihoods displaced, the environment degraded, and lives lost. All in the name of mining that does not uphold the values and cultures of communities. Mining that does not respect the dignity of the people whose resources are being taken away. Cardinal/Shandong is preparing to begin large scale mining operations in Talensi. They are also prospecting for gold all over the Upper East region of Ghana. The local content, for example employment for people who are suffering from loss of their livelihoods has been hardly addressed. We are fighting to ensure that our people and Ghana as a whole benefit from mining. In this light we are calling for transparency and accountability in mining. We encourage government to make licenses, agreements, MOUs, bonds etc. with mining companies publicly accessible. This will enable us to monitor their activities and ensure that they are doing the right thing. We want to reiterate our demands. That Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of Shaanxi/Earl International and Cardinal/Shandong should be made available for us to study and ensure that mining does not make our lands desolate. That the government and Minerals Commission should make it public the percentage of shares that the Ghana government holds in these mining concessions and including the amount of royalties that the two major mining companies are paying. That the Minerals Commission and EPA must ensure that health and safety of employees of these mining companies is secured and that they are monitoring these companies to comply with the laws governing mining in the country. That the Minerals Commission and the EPA work together to ensure that tailings dams are well constructed and the reclamation bonds of all companies are up to date. In the saga of the potential bribery and influence by
MTN cuts sod for $25m ‘Ghana ICT Hub’
Ghana’s biggest telecommunications network, MTN Ghana, has cut sod for the construction of a $25 million ‘Ghana ICT Hub’ at the Accra Digital Centre. The ‘Ghana ICT Hub’ aims to develop an ICT ecosystem in the areas of health, agriculture and education through on-site and remote access delivery to facilitate skills development and job creation for the youth in Ghana. When completed, the Hub will consist of a physical infrastructure designed to provide 4,000 square meters of space with ancillary facilities and unique features. The Ghana ICT Hub is expected to be completed in approximately 18 months from when construction begins. The sod cutting ceremony forms part of MTN’s fulfilment of a promise to support Ghana’s digitalization agenda during its 25th anniversary celebrations in 2021. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MTN Ghana, Selorm Adadevoh, stated that the project is to support innovation and new tech start-ups to drive the growth of the Ghana ICT ecosystem. He said that when completed, the ‘Ghana ICT Hub’ is expected to train over 200,000 youth in ICT and digital skills and generate more than 100,000 jobs within the first three years. He added that the Hub will be an ultra-modern office facility, providing office spaces and meeting venues for more than 100 tech companies that will incubate new ideas and innovations, driving the start-up buzz in the hub after completion. “The establishment of the Ghana ICT Hub will help build the future we want for our youth and foster new sources of economic growth for Ghana,” he stressed. The CEO of MTN Ghana indicated that as the world continues to evolve, it is important for Ghana’s youth to be equipped with ICT and digital skills to stay relevant and competitive, especially within the region when one thinks of the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). “Our purpose is to prepare the youth of Ghana to have better prospects succeeding and competing in the global digital economy,” he noted. He mentioned that MTN’s dream is to transform Ghana through ICT enablement. He explained that “The Ghana ICT Hub project is only a small part of a broader project called the ‘Ghana Innovation Hub’ project”. According to Mr. Adadevoh, there are three pillars under the “Ghana Innovation Hub” project, which are the Ghana ICT Hub, the Accra Innovation City Project and the Ghana Education Platform project. “We believe in playing our part in Africa’s transformation and this investment is directly in line with that belief,” he added. Board Chairman of the MTN Ghana Board, Dr. Ishmael Yamson, said that the board is excited about the impact the projects will have on the youth and what it means for job creation, innovation and Ghana’s competitiveness in the Sub-region. “Beyond that, there is no doubt that we are already exposed to the global marketplace and competition for skills and talent; with the advent of remote work, we stand to be counted if our youth are skilled in the relevant technologies such as coding, AI and Robotics, and have a place to put their learnings to practice,” he explained. The Minister for Communication and Digitalization, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, expressed Government’s gratitude to the MTN Group and its leadership for their kind gesture, adding that they have become a model for emulation. “I must say that your continuous commitment, partnerships, and efforts to be at the frontier of championing digital innovations in Ghana is extremely commendable,” she said. The Minister stated the ICT hub will facilitate the paradigm shift needed to accelerate Ghana’s progress with the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. She mentioned that the ICT hub will complement Ghana Digital Centres Limited’s focus on a nationwide network of digital transformation centres and interventions nurturing new businesses. “I believe this edifice will significantly deepen Ghana’s current digital strides to reposition Ghana’s image within the sub-region and the continent” she added.