GHc4.2million Bail Condition Set for Seven Chanfang Illegal Miners

Seven (7) Chanfang illegal miners have been admitted to a tune of Ghc600,000 bail conditions each, with a surety to appear before the court by the Koforidua Circuit Court “B” presided over by Her Honour, Mercy Adei Kotei.

The lawyer for the accused persons pleaded with the court to grant the accused person bail with the assurance to avail themselves for the defense of their accusations at court whenever they want them to reappear.

The Judge during the interrogation of the accused persons sought their places of abode, and their profession before granting them bail on Thursday, June 3, 2021.

According to Akyem Kwabeng District Police Commander, DSP Harold Opoku Yamoah, the bail conditions are yet to be met by the accused persons, and were sent back to police custody until they are able to fulfill their conditions of bail.

The accused persons; Akpalu Emmanuel aged 24, Daniel Dzorgbetor aged 27, Boamah Francis aged 20, Maxwell Kudomoa aged 26, Maxwell Mensah aged 18, Atigah Ebenezer aged 23, Mustapha Dey aged 20, were arrested on May 30, 2021, for mining with a chanfang boat on the river Birim at Sankubenase.

Our Tuesday, June 1, 2021, publication, revealed that Tension was simmering at Akyem Abomosu in the Eastern region as residents were agitating over the delay by police to arraign the accused persons before Court after their arrest on Monday, May 31, 2021.

According to them, persons who parade as National Security Operatives led by one Jagabo a farmer to affect the arrest of illegal miners and in connivance with the local Police, take monies from the suspects and set them free.

However, the Kwabeng District Police Commander DSP Harold Opoku Yamoah angrily refuted the allegations. He said the suspects were in police custody and being prepared for the prosecution at court.

William Ofori Akwaboa, Eastern Region