Nana Appiah Mensah (NAM1), embattled CEO of the defunct gold dealership firm Menzgold, has appealed to the High Court in Accra for “reasonable time” to engage new lawyers to represent him in his ongoing trial.
NAM1, charged alongside his companies, Menzgold Ghana Limited and Brew Marketing Consult, faces 37 counts related to the operations of his now-defunct firm.
In his plea on December 17, 2024, NAM1 told the court, presided over by Justice Ernest Owusu Dapaa, that differences with his current legal team had reached a “fundamental divergence” regarding the defense strategy.
“Kindly permit me to owe you an immeasurable gratitude by granting me reasonable time to scout and engage new counsel to lead my defense in my quest to affirm my innocence before this honorable court, the Republic, and the global community,” he submitted.
The trial judge had, on July 11, 2024, ordered NAM1 and his companies to open their defense after dismissing their submission of no case to answer.
Following that, NAM1 filed an unsuccessful motion for a stay of proceedings, which was dismissed on December 5, 2024, compelling him to proceed with his defense.
During the hearing, Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Mrs. Yvonne Attakora Obuobisa argued that NAM1’s request was a deliberate attempt to stall the trial.
The DPP highlighted multiple instances where the accused failed to comply with court orders, including filing witness statements by the stipulated deadline of October 16, 2024.
The prosecution revealed that NAM1’s legal team, led by Kwame Boafo Akuffo, had filed another application for a stay of proceedings at the Court of Appeal earlier that day.
This application had no return date and was filed on the instructions of the accused, contrary to NAM1’s claim of dissatisfaction with his lawyers.
Citing Section 174(1) of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1960 (Act 30), the DPP reminded the court that an accused person called upon to open their defense may either give evidence on oath or remain silent.
She added that NAM1’s repeated failure to comply demonstrated a lack of desire to proceed with his defense.
In response, Justice Owusu Dapaa acknowledged the DPP’s arguments and the court’s authority to proceed and convict the accused based on the evidence presented.
However, in the interest of “judicial propriety,” the judge adjourned the case to February 4, 2025, to allow the Court of Appeal to resolve the pending motion.
NAM1 clarified that while he had not dismissed his lawyers outright, he was dissatisfied with their services, necessitating his request for new legal representation.
