Security agencies working in collaboration with Interpol have arrested a second suspect in the murder of former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Upper East Regional Chairman, Adams Mahama.

“Asabke Alangdi was arrested in Ivory Coast after over a year of surveillance and search during which period he moved camps from Burkina Faso to Ivory Coast,” Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has disclosed.

He told journalists at a press briefing Monday that, “Mr. Asabke was the second person believed to have conspired with the first suspect, Gregory Afoko, in the murder of the deceased Mr. Mahama, which incident occurred on May 20, 2015.”

Mr Mahama was attacked in front of his home in Bolgatanga with acid leading to his death. Investigations disclosed that his death was caused by the two persons -Mr Afoko and Mr Alangde. 

“Mr Alangde, however, fled the Ghanaian jurisdiction days after the murder and has been on the run since. Ghana’s security agencies have been on a manhunt for him since then,” he said.

Mr Mahama died in the hospital following an acid attack in May 2015. 

Doctors at the Bolgatanga government hospital were unsuccessful in trying to stabilise him before transferring him to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.

Fugitive suspect, Asabke Alangdi

Gregory Afoko was, however, apprehended by Police and has been put on trial since. The case is being tried by Justice L.L Mensah (JA) sitting as an additional High Court Judge and has been adjourned to February 2019 for lawyers to address the Jury.

While this trial has been ongoing, consistent efforts were underway to apprehend the fugitive, Alangdi. He was arrested on Friday, January 25, with the assistance of Interpol. 

Termination of legal process

The recent arrest of Asabke Alangdi who was a suspect in the case, has necessitated the filing of a Nolle Prosequi in respect of the ongoing trial in the case of the Republic Vrs Gregory Afoko. 

This has been done with the objective of discontinuing the initial trial to enable the two accused persons to be tried together to best serve the interest of justice.

Committal proceedings for the two accused persons will commence shortly for them to stand trial as soon as possible. The state additionally intends to pray the Chief Justice to assign a dedicated judge for an expedited trial considering the background of the case.

Mr Oppong Nkrumah assured that government will not relent on any efforts to bring the perpetrators of crimes within the country’s jurisdiction to book.