44 illegal miners at Bole granted bail

Forty four out of 45 illegal miners standing trial in a Tamale Circuit Court have been granted bail.

They are to reappear in court for the trial to continue on September 22, 2014.

They 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 GHC 600 penalty each.

One of them who instantly paid the fine was granted bail whereas the other person is still in prison pending payment.

The Presiding Judge, His Honour Senyo Amedehe in his
wisdom discharged one of them identified as a minor.

Representative of the Attorney Generals Department in court pleaded with the learned Judge to discharge the 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 who 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 from the accused persons.

After the court sitting, Mr. Afari reaffirmed his administration’s vigilance at some 13 identified unapproved routes including that of Bole which is closer to Cote D’I Voire to curtail the influx of foreign nationals into the country.

He cautioned indigenes against aiding and abetting with foreign nationals to flout the nation’s laws with impunity.

By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com