By Beatrice Oppon
Chinese woman accused of illegal mining, Aisha Huang, and her three accomplices have again been denied bail by an Accra Circuit Court.
Counsel for Aisha Huang Captain(rtd) Nkrabea Effah Darteh pleading for bail for his client, argued that the continuous incarceration of the accused persons sends wrong signal to the world that foreigners are not entitled to bail in the country and urged the court to diffuse that by granting them bail. He told the court to admit them to bail as the state sorts out issues regarding the trial.
Captain Effah Darteh further urged the court not to avert its mind to the negative media reports regarding the accused persons.
He contended that the accused persons were not arrested with exhibits or at a mining site and should therefore be granted bail since they are still presumed innocent.
The defence team also lamented that they, together with the relatives, are unable to have access to the accused persons who have been in custody for four weeks.
The prosecution opposed the bail application and said they were putting their facts together in readiness to start the trial.
The prosecution contended that the accused persons entered the country illegally and have no fixed place of residence which is enough proof that they will not avail themselves to stand trial if granted bail.
Following the arguments, Judge Samuel Bright Acquah declined to admit them to bail.
He held that illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, is threatening the environment and requires the effort of all persons to stop it.
The Judge also made reference to Aisha Huang, who entered the country illegally.
Aisha Huang has been charged with the sale and purchase of minerals without license and engaging in illegal mining without license. The other three, Johng Li Hua, Huang Jei and Huaid Hun are also facing one count of sales of mining equipment without licence. They have all pleaded not guilty to the charges and will reappear before the court on October 12.
