An Accra High Court has remanded into lawful custody seven individuals accused of engaging in illegal mining at Wassa Dunkwa in the Western Region.
The accused are Douglas Bediako, Samuel Tanor alias Ameyaw, Richard Yaw Sey, Justin Akyirbri, Shon Vitus, Akembasiya James, and Gideon Asordina.
They have been charged with conspiracy to commit a crime—specifically undertaking a mining operation without a license granted by the Minister—and also with undertaking a mining operation without a license.
The court, presided over by Justice Mrs. Kizita Naa Koowa Quarshie, did not take their pleas. They are expected to reappear on May 15, 2025.
According to the facts presented before the court, the complainants are police officers from the National Police Headquarters in Accra, assigned by the Inspector General of Police to combat illegal mining activities.
On or about May 1, 2025, during a special operation at Wassa Dunkwa near Asankragwa, the police team encountered the accused persons actively involved in illegal mining at the site.
Visuals of some of the accused working in mining pits, as well as footage of their arrest, were captured by the police team.
The accused claimed they were hired by others to work in the pits.
A “Sanny” excavator, operated by Douglas Bediako and bearing registration number GN 695-24, was also retrieved from the site.
ALSO READ: