I can’t think far – why will a judge order release of ‘galamsey’ tools to accused persons.

But this is has been reported by 3news, a credible news source, so they are reporting what happened in court. I need some legal advice, who did not do a good job, was it the police investigators who did not do diligent work? Or was it the prosecutors who sent the case to court who failed to explain to the judge that these galamsey equipment will find themselves back in a river in Ghana even before they go back to court on the 16th of October 2019. What charges were brought against people who were caught in the act, what evidence was adduced by the prosecution?

Or what did the Judge, Her Ladyship Mrs Mariam Sinare hear, does she appreciate the damage that these equipment do to the environment once she has released them to these people? Yes, I am not learned so I might be ignorant of the working of the laws, but my heart bleeds based on what I know about these suspects of galamsey. The recalcitrant attitude of these galamseyers, the fact that they are by now in the rivers destroying it again now that they are on bail. The fact that they pose a great flight risk and in the Ayisha case some of them though with stringent bail conditions have failed to turn up in court. Does our judge know that in last year 4 of these were arrested granted bail by the police and were rearrested engaged in the same crime after 4 days? Does out Ladyship know that it cost over $400 million to clean up just the Ankobrah river?

Conceding again that I am not learned but trust me, this is a great disservice to Ghana, it will embolden others to also jump into the waters and continue to destroy our country. It makes nothing out of the call of H.E the President to the Chinese President that we will hold their citizens who break our laws to account. Why, oh why Mrs Mariam Sinare did you do this to Mother Ghana. I pray that the journalists will follow up on this story 

The Circuit Court at Mpraeso in the Eastern Region has ordered the release of mining equipment and other exhibits seized from some illegal small scale miners to the eight accused persons arrested on Wednesday.

The court presided over by Mrs Mariam Sinare, has also granted each of the eight persons, including three Chinese nationals, a 40,000-cedi bail with one surety each to be justified.

As part of their bail condition, they are to report to the Police every day until the final determination of the case.

Wei age 31; Xiao age 54; Niu te, 31, all Chinese nationals, and Kofi Somuah, 20; Eric Ampadu, 22; Akwasi Abora, 29; Akwasi Sandi, 20 and Yaw Asante, 20, were arrested Wednesday by the Operation Vanguard team stationed at New Abirem.

They were accused of engaging in illegal mining in the Nwi River at Wisiwisi near Nkawkaw.

The prosecution told the court that the Operation Vanguard team was on their usual patrols at about 3:00 pm when they met the eight persons engaged in illegal mining in the river.

The suspects were detained and after investigation, their caution statements were taken.

They were arraigned Thursday on illegal mining charges, which they pleaded not guilty.

The case was been adjourned to October 16, 2018, at the time I was writing this piece that was lost in the draft. What has happened to the case?

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