Adams Mahama murder convictions highlight ‘serious challenges’ with jury system – Attorney General
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame says the distinction in the verdicts of the 2 accused people in the Adams Mahama homicide trial shows `excessive problems` with the country`s jury system. According to the A-G, those problems need not to be allowed to fester and he’s taking steps to correct the scenario.
Adams Mahama homicide trial verdicts highlight `excessive problems` with the jury system – Attorney-General
In a press statement he issued on Thursday, April 27, Mr Yeboah Dame stated “The spotaneous case, mainly the unanimous verdict concerning the guilt of the second accused for conspiracy to commit homicide, whilst at the same time handing over a hung verdict in the case of 1st accused on the same charges, highlights the excessive problems with the jury system, a scenario the Attorney-General is taking steps to correct as part of proposal for modification of many components of the legal system in Ghana,” the A-G stated in the press statement.
A 7-member jury on Thursday presented a 4-3 Not Guilty verdict for the charges of homicide and conspiracy to commit homicide against Gregory Afoko.
The jurors couldn’t attain a unanimous 7-zero verdict to show Mr. Afoko is guilty, leaving the nation with a choice to prosecute him again. The jurors, however, convicted his Co-accused Asake Alangdi of Conspiracy to commit homicide and he’s to die by means of hanging.
Mr. Afoko who’s the brother of former NPP Chairman Paul Afoko, has for the past 8 years been on trial over the homicide of Adams Mahama, former NPP Upper East local chairman.
Lawyers for Asabke Alangdi are surprise at the verdict, whilst Anthony Namoo, lawyer for the family of Adams Mahama, the NPP Upper East local chairman said to have been murdered, isn’t enthused by the final verdict either. “We are of the view that compelling proof was given by the prosecution and so we aren’t glad at the final results.
“But whatever , it wasn`t a bad case due to the fact we’ve a mistrial 4-3 and having one person convicted and sentenced to death, I suppose this is fine,” he told sources.
