The Seven (7) Chanfan illegal miners arrested in Atiwa West District of the Eastern Region have been admitted to Ghc600,000 bail with a surety each by the Koforidua Circuit Court “B” presided by Her Honour Mercy Adei Kotei.
The lawyer pleaded with the court to grant the accused bail with the assurance that they will avail themselves to court anytime they are needed.
The Judge interrogated the accused person’s places of abode and work they do before granting them bail on Thursday, June 3, 2021.
The bail conditions were yet to be met by the accused persons.
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, in May were arrested on May 30, 2021, for mining with a chanfang boat on the river Birim at Sankubenase.
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.
According to them, persons who parade as National Security Operatives led by one Jagabo a former to affect the arrest of illegal miners and in connivance with the local Police, take monies from the suspects and set them free.
They, therefore, informed the District Chief Executive for the area, Isaac Asamoah Akomaning to ensure that the suspects are prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to other recalcitrant illegal miners still mining on the Birim River.
When contacted on phone, the Kwabeng District Police Commander DSP Harold Opoku Yamoah, angrily refuted the allegations. He said the suspects were in police custody and being prepared to be arraigned before court.
“Are the people outside? Don’t do that. The DCE just called me to ask me about it. You are the one who told him. They can go to hell. If they are wise they should wait till I release them before they come out with all manners of allegations. I wise person can wait for me to release them before they come out with an allegation. what is that! People will not assist the police but if we struggle with our limited resources and everything they shouldn’t come and worry us with this nonsense. They should give us clue to arrest these people but they don’t do it. Look here I’m a police officer, if I want money I know how best to get money. Me, I don’t have much money. They can speculate, the people are in Custody”. Angry DSP Opoku Yamoah said.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
