An Accra High Court, presided over by Justice Kizita Naa Koowa Quarshie, has remanded seven individuals into police custody over their alleged involvement in illegal mining activities at Wassa Dunkwa near Asankragwa in the Western Region.
Their pleas were not taken, and the case has been adjourned to May 15, 2025.
The accused persons — Douglas Bediako, Samuel Tanor alias Ameyaw, Richard Yaw Sey, Justin Akyibri, Shon Vitus, Akembasiya James, and Gideon Asordina — are facing four charges, including conspiracy to commit crime and undertaking a mining operation without a licence.
Charges and Allegations
The first set of charges involves Douglas Bediako, Samuel Tanor, and Richard Yaw Sey, who are accused of conspiring and engaging in mining activities without authorisation from the Minister responsible for Mines. They allegedly committed the offence on May 1, 2025, at Wassa Dunkwa.
Similarly, Justin Akyibri, Shon Vitus, Akembasiya James, and Gideon Asordina have been charged with conspiracy and illegal mining on the same date and at the same location, also without a valid mining licence.
Background
According to State Attorney Gifty-Ann Korankye-Taylor, the accused were arrested during a special anti-illegal mining operation conducted by officers from the National Police Headquarters in Accra, acting on the directives of the Inspector General of Police.
During the operation, the police team reportedly caught the accused in the act of mining illegally. Video footage captured by the officers shows some of the suspects actively working in the mining pits at the time of arrest.
The prosecution stated that the accused persons claimed they had been contracted by unidentified individuals to operate at the site. A SANY excavator, allegedly operated by first accused Douglas Bediako and bearing registration number GN 695–24, was also retrieved from the location.
The suspects have been arraigned as investigations continue.
