For the third time in eight years, Gregory Afoko, the farmer accused of murdering former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Chairman Adams Mahama, has pleaded not guilty to conspiring with convict Asabke Alangdi in the killing of the NPP Upper East Regional Chairman.

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Mr Alangdi, already convicted for conspiracy, also pleaded not guilty to murder.

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The trial is set to proceed with four women and three men serving as jurors.

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The case has been adjourned to February 2 for case management conference.

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In April of the current year, a court, led by Justice Merley Afua Wood, found Asabke Alangdi guilty of conspiring with Gregory Afoko to kill Mahama in 2015.

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However, Afoko was acquitted of conspiracy to commit murder and murder charges by a 4-3 verdict.

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Mr Alangdi was sentenced to death and has since appealed the decision.

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The case's brief facts reveal that on May 14, 2015, Paul Afoko and Kwabena Agyepong, then NPP National Chairman and General Secretary, were violently attacked by thugs organized by the deceased Mahama.

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This was in response to their campaigning against Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

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Gregory and Asabke, upset by the incident, formed a youth group to protect those perceived as against Akufo-Addo. On May 20, 2015, they ambushed Mahama's residence with a suspected acid substance, resulting in his death during transportation to Accra for treatment. The post-mortem report cited shocked lungs and extensive acid burns as the cause of death.

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