Forty four out of the 45 illegal miners standing trial in
Tamale in the Northern Region have been granted bail. They are expected to
reappear in court for the trial to continue on September 22, 2014. The
suspected illegal miners were charged on three counts; entering the country
through unapproved routes, failing to appear before immigration officer and
engaging in illegal employment. All of them pleaded guilty for failing to
appear before immigration officer whilst some pleaded guilty for passing
through unapproved routes. Two of them who possessed passports but engaged in
illegal employment were convicted upon pleading guilty and they were fined 600
Ghana cedis each. One of them who instantly paid the fine was granted bail
while the other person is still in prison pending payment. The Presiding Judge,
His Honour Senyo Amedehe discharged one of them identified as a minor. Both
Guinean and Malian Chancellors to Ghana attended the court sitting. The Malian
Chancellor engaged the services of a Ghanaian lawyer to defend his people. All
45, majority of whom are ECOWAS nationals from Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso
were rounded up in Bole in the Northern Region. The operation was carried by
immigration officials under the supervision of Assistant Director of Immigration
in charge of the Northern Region, Eric Afari. Mr. Afari earlier told Citi News
that his officers retrieved mining equipment, motorbikes and an undisclosed
amount of money from the accused
persons.
Source Citi
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