Aisha Huang denied bail again as judge calls on judiciary to help save water bodies

Galamsey kingpin, Aishà Huang has been denied bail once again by an Accra Circuit Court.

The Chinese national pleaded not guilty to her suspected illegal mining activities but remains in police custody.

The judge, Samuel Bright Acquah, meanwhile, urged the Judiciary to take a strong stance against illegal mining to save Ghana’s water bodies.

Ruling on a bail application on Tuesday, he indicated that the accused will therefore remain in police custody as investigations continue.

Ms. Huang and three others are accused of engaging in illegal mining and engaging in the sale of minerals without a license.

The new charges were filed on September 16, 2022. They are:

Count One: Undertaking a mining operation without a licence contrary to section 99(2)(a) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006, Act 703 as amended by the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act 2019, Act 995.

Count Two: Facilitating the participation of persons engaged in a mining operation contrary to section 99 (2)(a) & (3) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006, Act 703 as amended by the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act 2019, Act 995.

Count Three: Illegal employment of foreign nationals contrary to section 24 of the Immigration Act, 2000 (Act 573).

Count Four: Entering Ghana while prohibited from re-entry contrary to section 20(4) of the Immigration Act, 2000, Act 573.

According to the prosecution, new arrests have been made therefore granting the accused persons bail may give them the opportunity to interfere with witnesses and investigations.

The prosecution while citing public interest in the matter also argued that Aisha Huang has a history of sneaking in and out of the country and is therefore a flight risk.

The accused persons remain in police custody.

The case has since been adjourned to October 12, 2022.