A Togolese national, Shaibu Yaw has been sentenced to 18 years in prison with hard labor by the Koforidua Circuit Court A. He was charged with engaging in illegal mining at Akyem Mouso in the Atewa West District of the Eastern Region.
This conviction follows Shaibu’s arrest in a crackdown on illegal mining, a critical step in combating the ‘galamsey’ menace that threatens to destroy the environment.
In court, presided over by the High Court Judge Her Lordship Abigail Animah Asare, Shaibu pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit a crime and engaging in illegal mining without a valid mining license. The suspect was also fined 10,000 penalty units for both counts.
Shaibu’s 18-year prison term will be served concurrently, but the fines of 20,000 penalty units will be paid consecutively. This means that the financial penalties for each count must be paid separately increasing the total amount owed.
Shaibu offered a heartfelt plea to the court to be allowed to go back to his home country, Togo, with a solemn promise to never return to Ghana to engage in illegal mining activities. However, the judge remained unmoved and explained that the severity of the crime warranted such a harsh sentence.
Her Lordship Animah Asare highlighted the severity of ‘galamsey’ on Ghana’s natural resources and urged those involved to put a stop to it immediately. The court also granted bail to five other individuals- Eric Niko, David Kodza, Awuli David, Nana Kojo Ayimadu, and Robert Mawuli, after they were arrested for alleged illegal mining on October 16, 2024, by the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners Taskforce. The court granted them bail after a lengthy and careful deliberation.
Eric Niko and David Kodza were granted bail set at GH¢250,000, each with two sureties that must be justified with property. The sureties are required to provide evidence that their property is sufficient to cover the bail amount, and all necessary documents must be verified by the court. Robert Mawuli and Awuli David were granted bail of GH¢50,000, each with two sureties, who must be persons of high standing within the community. This provision ensures that the court has confidence in the ability of these individuals to ensure that the accused meet their bail conditions. Nana Kojo Ayimadu, on the other hand, was granted a slightly lower bail of GH¢20,000, but his bail terms were stricter. He must provide three sureties, all of whom must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, and they are required to leave copies of their Ghana Cards with the court as an additional measure of accountability. The court adjourned the hearing until November 4, 2024, granting the state prosecution’s request for additional time to modify specific details in the charge sheets against the five defendants.
The court’s decision reaffirms its commitment to the fight against illegal mining ‘galamsey’.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Salimatu Nuhu
