29 Foreign illegal miners divided in court over language to be used

The Koforidua Circuit Court B was compelled to adjourn hearing of the case involving twenty- Nine(29) foreign illegal miners arrested for invading the Atiwa Forest.

The suspects having agreed en-bloc to use Hausa as the Language of communication in court when they made their initial appearance however were divided over the language to use in Court when they appeared on Wednesday before the Court Presided over by Her Honour Mercy Adei Kotei.

While some of the suspects preferred the use of Zamrama as means of communication, others suggested they used Hausa and French.

This compelled the Presiding judge to postpone the case to February 3,2017 to allow the Court to get competent interpreters in the languages requested by the suspects.

The suspects now on remand are expected to be officially charged after amendment was made on the charge sheet when they appeared in court on Tuesday.

The Atiwa branch of the Forestry Commission in the Eastern Region, arrested the 29 suspects aged 17 to 44, red handed engaging in illegal mining in the Atiwa Forest reserve.

The suspects mainly citizens of Niger and Burkina Faso are; Mohammed Omar, Mohammed Haruna, Amadu Basar, Dauda Zenjina, Amar Mohamed, Kassin Bramah, Mahamudu Arubakari and Sitah Zibo.

The others are Hamidu Amadu, Musah Iddrisu, Munkaila Bomboro , Omaru Sulemana, Addul M. Hudu, Zibo Alibu, Haruna Mumuni, Abdulai K. Kibo, Bukari Musah, Musah Ahmed and Sulley Aadum.

The rest are Munkaila Salifu, Yakuba Adamu, Yao Denay, Fuseini Amadu, Gubar Jatah, Barim Sribil, Hamza Gudiah Nameh Keita and Jibril Amidu.

According to the Assistance Manager of the Forestry Commission in charge of Atiwa range, Aikins Amponsah Palmer, the suspects were arrested upon a tip off.

He said the informant hinted them about the illegal entry of the suspects into the Atiwa Forest and mining with impunity thereby destroying trees and river bodies, including the Birim, Densu, and Ayensu, which trace their sources from the Atiwa forest.

According to him, he reported the matter to his district manager of the Commission, Mr Paul Akrasi, who in turn informed the Regional Manager, Mr Paul Atta Wusu.

The Regional Manager released a Regional Monitoring Team comprising the military, police and the Rapid Response Team of the Commission to apprehend the culprits on Thursday, January 26, 2017 at around 3:am at dawn.

The security confiscated sophisticated computerized machines used to detect gold beneath the ground which is able to mine silently to avoid being noticed.