Court grants bail to galamsey operators

Tarkwa, March 19, GNA - A Circuit court at Tarkwa granted bail to three galamsey operators, who damaged 33 kilovolt transformer cables, belonging to the Electricity Company of Ghana. Kwaku Mensah 26, Gideon Danso Mensah, 28, and Kwasi Tom, alias uncle lucky, 30, pleaded not guilty.

Police Chief Inspector Edward Paddy told the court presided over by Mr. Samuel Obeng Diawuo, that the accused were arrested on January 25, 2011 at about 1530 hours.

The prosecution said the Police had a tip off that some galamsey operators had ignited an explosive, which blasted and destroyed high tension cables at Nkampunase near Dynamite FM station at Tarkwa. Chief Insp. Paddy said the Police realised that the suspects had dug a pit to prospect for gold.

The court also jailed Kofi Robert, 26, Kwaku Mensah, 25, and Ahor Yaw, 23, all unemployed persons, who stole 15 bags of cement for 30 years. They pleaded guilty.

Chief Insp. Paddy told the court that on February 20, this year at about 2100 hours, the accused took advantage of the absence of the complainant, Peter Mensah Eshun, and broke into his shop and stole the cement.

Prosecution said an eye witness who saw the suspects stealing the cement raised the alarm and the suspects were arrested by the Police. 19 March 11 Attention recipients, item 02 ends first cast.