A Bekwai Circuit Court has granted bail to 31 suspects, comprising 28 Chinese nationals and three Ghanaians, arrested for allegedly attempting to engage in illegal mining activities in the Apamprama Forest Reserve in the Ashanti Region.
The accused persons were granted bail in the sum of GH₵200,000 each, with two sureties to be justified. The court directed that the sureties must be Ghanaian nationals and that their Ghana Cards be deposited at the court registry.
In addition, the court ordered that the passports of all accused persons be deposited as part of the bail conditions.
The court further instructed the Registrar and the lead investigator to ensure strict compliance with all bail requirements.
According to information available, the accused persons have so far been unable to meet the bail conditions and have subsequently filed an application through their lawyer seeking a variation of the bail terms.
Meanwhile, issues have emerged regarding the immigration status of the foreign nationals involved in the case. Copies of visas issued to the Chinese nationals upon entry into Ghana reportedly indicate that the visas had expired prior to their alleged unlawful entry into the forest reserve.
The development has raised questions about the purpose of the visas issued and the circumstances under which the foreign nationals found themselves in a protected forest area, prompting calls for clarification from the Ghana Immigration Service.
The case has been adjourned to February 9, 2026, for further proceedings.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
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