Nana Appiah Mensah, also known as NAM1, the founder of defunct Menzgold Ghana Limited, has informed the High Court in Accra that he will not file witness statements in his defense for the ongoing criminal trial. Instead, NAM1 intends to subpoena seven state institutions to testify in court.
According to a letter addressed to the court by NAM1’s lawyer, Kwame Akuffo Boafo, the institutions to be subpoenaed include the Ghana Police Service, Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO), Bank of Ghana, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Minerals Commission, Agricultural Development Bank, and Zenith Bank.
NAM1, two off his companies- Menzgold Ghana Limited (2nd Accused) and Brew Marketing Consult (3rd Accused), are facing 35 counts including selling gold without authorization, operating a deposit-taking business without a license, inducement to invest, defrauding by false pretenses, fraudulent breach of trust, and money laundering.
During the court proceedings on Thursday July 24, 2025, NAM1’s lawyer who was absent again on health grounds indicated that his client would not be filing witness statements, but would instead rely on subpoenaing the aforementioned institutions to testify.
NAM1’s lawyer described the court’s previous directions as “worrying and prejudicial.”
NAM1 pleaded for more time to prepare his defense, citing the absence of his lawyer due to illness.
While addressing the Court himself, NAM1, expressed his desire to open his defense and affirm his innocence after spending nearly seven years dealing with the case.
Senior State Attorney, Watkins Adamah, who represented the State said, the letter from NAM1’s lawyer clearly indicates that they do not intend to file witness statements.
“That means, they will give oral evidence in defence of their case. They have indicated their intention to subpoena a number of institutions which I presumed will be to bolster their defence. That process must not take away the time allocated for the accused persons who are present in court today (Thursday, July 24), to open their defense and they have indicated to do so Oreilly
“We are mindful of the time of the year of the judicial calendar and time scheduled, we are ready to proceed with the prosecution of the case,” he said.
The High Court presided over by Justice Dr. Ernest Owusu-Dapaa adjourned the case to July 31, 2025 for NAM1 to open his defense.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
