Gregory Afoko formed vigilante group to protect anti-Akufo-Addo elements

Evidence presented in court by the police appears to confirm suspicions of political motive behind the acid attack on late Upper East NPP Chairman, Adams Mahama.

The evidence reveals that the Gregory Afoko who is on remand for his alleged involvement in the tragic acid attack formed a group with the sole aim of protecting “party executives perceived to be against Nana Akufo Addo’s” 2016 presidential bid.

The group was formed after the late Adams Mahama allegedly instigated some youths to scuttle a meeting by the National Chairman Paul Afoko and General Secretary Kwabena Agyepong in Bolga. The two are suspected to be campaigning against the flagbearer, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo.

NPP National Chairman Paul Afoko

It is not clear if the acid attack was in retaliation for an attempt by Adams Mahama's loyalists to beat up Gregory during that scuffle in the region.

The revelations come on a day when senior NPP MPs have revealed to JOY NEWS an internal plot to frustrate Nana Akufo-Addo’s presidential bid.

The state prosecutor Superintendent Francis Baah while reading the charges mentioned the suspect as being the brother of the NPP chair, Paul Afoko, a comment the defence counsel, Stephen Ampah Korsah was not happy about.

The defence counsel quickly interjected drawing the court's attention that it was unnecessary to link the NPP chair to the case because he had nothing to do with it.

The prosecution then appealed to the Magistrate, Worlanyo Kotoku to keep the suspect on remand until they have concluded with the investigation, a request Mr Korsah rose against.

He said the prosecution had no basis to appeal for remand since it has no evidence to substantiate the charges of murder leveled against his client.

But the prosecution said it has prima facie evidence but needed time to conclude its full investigations.

Superintendent Baah reminded the counsel on the opposing side that murder offences are non-bailable and the suspect had to be kept in police custody.

The plot known as Agenda 2020 assumes that a Nana Addo will be too old to contest for president again if he loses 2016 elections.

Hence, if the group works to scuttle his ambitions, it brightens the chances of his rivals to contest for president in 2020.

Nkoranza North MP, Major Derek Oduro, said on Joy News Tuesday.

Sections of the party are convinced that the national chairman and General Secretary are behind Agenda 2020. This is fuelling calls for the two national executives to step aside.

The Magistrate, Worlanyo Kotoku ruled in favour of the prosecution and admitted the suspect to police custody to reappear on July 9, 2015.

Joy News' Afreh reported the suspect looked completely disoriented throughout the trial and looked even more disappointed over the ruling.

With his dreadlocked hair, the suspect tried to hide his face from the intrusive camera lenses of journalists when he was being taken in and out of court.

Family members were present to sympathise with the suspect, Afreh reported.

The second suspect, Asabke Alangbi, is said to have fled the Upper East with his wife and left behind a baby.

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