Some four alleged accomplices of Aisha Huang have also been remanded into custody. The four are three Chinese nationals Shi Yang, Li Wei Guo, Shi Mei Zhi and a Vietnamese NguYen Thi Thianh Tuyen.
The three Chinese have been charged with illegal mining, while the Vietnamese has been charged with remaining in the country after expiration of her permit.
The charge of the three Chinese was read and explained to them in their language to which they pleaded not guilty to.
That of the Vietnamese was deferred because of language barrier.
There was no interpreter to explain the charge to her.
In view of that the judge, Justice Lydia Osei Marfo ordered the Registrar to take steps to procure a Vietnamese language interpreter to allow the accused person’s plea to be taken.
Pleas by the Defence Lawyer, Ekeleba Blay who held brief for Freddie Blay to admit the accused persons to bail was rejected by the Court.
Justice Osei Marfo based her refusal to grant bail on Section 96(5) (a) of Act 30.
She held that a Court may decline to bail if it satisfied that an accused may not appear to stand trial.
She said the accused persons are alleged to be illegally staying in the country and engaged illegal mining activities which has become a national concern.
Justice Marfo further stated that the accused persons are foreigners who do not have any financial or social ties with the jurisdiction of the Court and is convinced that they will not return to stand trial if admitted to bail.
Justice Osei Marfo adjourned the case to November 1, 2022 and ordered the prosecution to furnish the defence with the full disclosures before the next hearing.
