The Magistrate of the Sefwi Wiawso District Court, His Worship Eric Baah Boateng, has directed Chief Inspector George Asante Noye, a prosecutor in a case involving the arrest of 10 illegal miners, to provide documentary evidence of the death and cremation of two Chinese nationals at the next court sitting scheduled for April 15, 2024.
The arrest of the 10 individuals, including four Chinese nationals and six Ghanaians, occurred on December 12, 2023, by staff of the Forestry Commission for engaging in illegal mining in the Krokosua Hills Forest Reserve.
The Chinese nationals were identified as Men Shi Yu, 30; Weng Yong Cheng, 30; Wen FU Lin, 58; and Lee Pin, 60.
The Ghanaian suspects were Edward Owusu, 25; Kwesi Frank, 42; Abudu Dramani, 41; and Joe Nabur, 27. Two police officers, Detective Sergeant Yahaya Andrews and Lance Corporal Azantillow, were also involved.
During the court’s third sitting on March 15, 2024, only the six Ghanaians, including the two policemen, were present, while the four Chinese nationals were absent. The Prosecutor informed the court that two of the Chinese nationals had died and been cremated.
Magistrate Eric Baah Boateng instructed the Prosecutor to bring the sureties for the deceased Chinese nationals to court at the next sitting to provide documentary evidence of their death and cremation. The case was adjourned to April 15, 2024, and has been referred to the Attorney General’s Department in Takoradi for advice.