The prosecution in the Adams Mahama murder trial has told a Magistrate's Court in Accra that a third suspect - who is in their custody - was the one who bought the acid sprayed on the late Upper East Regional Chairman of the opposition New Patriotic Party.
Musa Issa, a driver, was on Wednesday hauled before the court on a charge of abetment of crime.
He is deemed to have bought the acid and gave it to the first and second suspects, Gregory Afoko and Asabke Alangdi who attacked the Upper East chair on a night he had closed from work and was heading home.
He died the following morning from complications resulting from the acid attack.
While Gregory Afoko is in custody, the second suspect Alangdi has been on the run together with his wife. They left behind their one-and-half-year-old baby.
The third suspect was arrested on Monday and appeared before the court Wednesday.
The prosecutor, Superintendent Francis Baah named Musah Issa as a member of the New Patriotic Party.
The defence counsel vehemently challenged the claims by the prosecution.
Lead Counsel for the defence, Steven Ampah Korsah, said contrary to claims by the police that the suspect was arrested, it was he who turned himself in to the police.
He also challenged the claim that it was Issah who bought the acid for the attack, insisting the prosecution had no solid evidence to back their claim.
While condemning the attempt by the police to brand the suspect as an NPP party member, Afreh-Nuamah reported Korsah as saying that the suspect has for over 15 years supported the Upper East police in carrying out their duties.
According to Korsah, it was through the vigilance of the suspect that the police arrested a number of criminals in the region.
He said given how instrumental the suspect has been in the activities of the police, a motorbike was bought for him by the police administration in the region.
He found it impossible that a person who has been working with the police for years would be accused of abetment in such a criminal act.
Steven Ampah Korsah therefore pleaded with the Magistrate, Worlanyo Kotoku to grant him bail, arguing the charge of abetment of crime is a bailable offence.
But the prosecution rebutted. Superintendent Baah reminded the court that the charge of abetment is not standing alone but linked to a crime of murder which is a non-bailable offence.
He said if the suspect is bailed he might possibly interfere with investigations.
The Magistrate agreed with the Prosecution and put the suspect to bail to reappear on June 9.
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