This verdict follows Shaibu’s arrest during a crackdown on illegal mining, a growing issue in Ghana’s fight against environmental degradation caused by “galamsey” operations.

The court, presided over by High Court Judge Her Lordship Abigail Animah Asare, who was serving in an additional capacity at the circuit court, convicted Shaibu after he pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit a crime related to illegal mining and engaging in mining without a valid license. Alongside his prison sentence, Shaibu was fined 10,000 penalty units for both counts.

The 18-year prison term will run concurrently, meaning Shaibu will serve both sentences at the same time.

The fine, which translates to a total of 20,000 penalty units, will run consecutively. This means that the financial penalties for each count must be paid separately, increasing the total amount he owes.

When offered the chance to speak before sentencing, Shaibu pleaded with the court to allow him to return to his home country, Togo, with a promise never to return to Ghana to engage in illegal mining.

However, the judge explained that while he has the right to appeal the ruling, the severity of the crime, given its widespread environmental consequences, necessitated such a firm sentence.

In delivering her judgment, Her Lordship Animah Asare emphasized the seriousness of illegal mining, noting its devastating impact on Ghana’s natural resources. She called on her court interpreters to clearly explain the ruling to all present and urged everyone, particularly those involved in “galamsey,” to cease such activities immediately.

In addition to Shaibu’s sentencing, the court also addressed the cases of five other individuals arrested for alleged illegal mining at Akyem Adasawase. These individuals, namely Eric Niko, David Kodza, Robert Mawuli, Awuli David, and Nana Kojo Ayimadu, had been arrested on October 16, 2024, by the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners Taskforce. The court granted them bail, but only after significant deliberation.

Eric Niko and David Kodza were granted bail set at GH¢250,000, each with two sureties that must be justified with property. The sureties are required to provide evidence that their property is sufficient to cover the bail amount, and all necessary documents must be verified by the court.

Meanwhile, Robert Mawuli and Awuli David were granted bail of GH¢50,000, each with two sureties, who must be persons of high standing within the community. This provision ensures that the court has confidence in the ability of these individuals to ensure that the accused meet their bail conditions.

Nana Kojo Ayimadu was granted a slightly lower bail of GH¢20,000, but his bail terms were stricter. He must provide three sureties, all of whom must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, and they are required to leave copies of their Ghana Cards with the court as an additional measure of accountability.

The state prosecution had requested additional time to amend certain details in the charge sheets for the five accused, prompting the court to adjourn the hearing to November 4, 2024.

Following the court’s decision, the Chairman of the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners in Akim Oda, Mohammad Amao, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the case.

Speaking to Channel One News, he reiterated the Association’s commitment to continuing its efforts to combat illegal mining, particularly in areas where such activities have severely polluted water bodies and degraded the environment.

The court’s actions represent a firm stance against illegal mining, which remains a critical issue in Ghana’s quest to preserve its natural resources and protect its environment from further harm.

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One of the sureties is to be justified.

The case has been adjourned to January 25, 2022.

The accused persons are Bright Udiagbe alias Big Slim, a Businessman, Susan Azor, a trader, Gideon Kwaofio, a Receptionist, George Ntsor, a Gardener, and Odoi Laryea, a Security guard.

The Court, presided over by Justice Stephen Tabiri, granted the accused persons bail, saying the facts did not support the charges.

Prosecutor Police Chief Inspector Lawrence Anane initially prayed the Court to refuse them bail.

He said the prosecution is still investigating and might gather more facts as time goes on, hence the accused persons would interfere with the investigation.

Lawyers for the accused persons argued that the facts did not support the charges against them and the facts showed that they are not linked to the crime at all.

They urged the Court to exercise its discretion and grant the accused persons bail as they would stand trial at any point in time.

Mr Robertson Kpatsa, lawyer for Bright and Susan, told the Court that one of his clients paid for the autopsy report and other reports being done by the Police.

He also said the accused also paid the hotel bills for the days the deceased stayed in the hotel.

Chief Inspector Anane told the Court that the deceased was a 37-year-old American Strip Dancer.

He said Bright, aged 47, is a businessman in the hospitality and entertainment industry.

The prosecution said the accused owned a hotel, restaurants, and nightclubs in Nigeria and Ghana, while Susan, aged 32 is a trader and an employee of Bright.

He said Gideon, aged 31, is a Cook and Receptionist of the hotel, George, aged 35, is a Gardener with Odoi as a Security guard.

Chief Inspector Anane said the deceased and Bright had been in a working relationship for the past five years.

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He said in December 2017, the deceased and two other American ladies by names: Sky and Diana, all Strip Dancers, were introduced to Bright in Lagos-Nigeria by a friend known as Williams, alias DAPO, who requested Bright to employ them at his Firefox night club in Lagos.

The Prosecution said that same year, the three Strip Dancers, including the deceased, worked for Bright for four weeks on a commission basis at his Firefox nightclub in Lagos, Nigeria but after the Christmas festivities, they went back to the United States of America.

He said in December 2018, Bright again invited the deceased to Lagos to work for him and after the festivities, she went back to the United States of America.

According to the Prosecution, in 2019 and 2020, because of the Covid-19 restrictions, the deceased was not invited by Bright as usual but rather invited the deceased in November 2021 to Nigeria to work for him.

The deceased arrived in Nigeria on November 26, 2021, at the time Bright was in Ghana making efforts to officially open Tunnel Lounge restaurant and Firefox Night Club in Accra.

He said the deceased after working in Bright’s nightclub in Nigeria for about a week, was invited to Ghana by Bright to help him to open his new lounge and restaurant in Ghana.

On December 3, 2021, the deceased arrived in Ghana with a single-entry Nigerian visa. She tested positive for COVID-19 at the Kotoka International Airport and was taken into isolation at Ave Maria hotel located at South Legon.

On December 6, 2021, the deceased tested negative for Covid-19 and was picked up from the Isolation Centre by Bright.

He said on the same day, Bright gave money to Susan to book a hotel for the deceased. Thus she took the deceased to RAYPORSH hotel in Accra located in the same vicinity she lived.

The Prosecution said the deceased lodged in the hotel for a week and checked out on December 12, 2021, at 12 noon to travel back to Nigeria but could not do so because of visa issues.

He said the deceased returned to the hotel around 2:00 pm the same day and checked into the same room and on December 13, 2021. Gideon claimed the deceased was not served breakfast because she did not respond to the telephone calls made to her room.

Chief Inspector Anane said throughout that day, nobody checked on the deceased although it was known that she had not gone out of her room.

On December 14, 2021, at about 7:30 am, the staff of the hotel in an attempt to serve the deceased breakfast, called the phone in her room several times but there was no response.

The Management checked on the door and found it unlocked, they entered the room and found the deceased unresponsive on the bed and reported it to the Police.

He said a team of Investigators rushed to the hotel and took the deceased to the Police hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival by the medical staff on duty.

The body was deposited at the Police Hospital Morgue for preservation and autopsy.

On December 29, C/Supt. /Dr. Osei Owusu Afriyie, the Police Pathologist conducted post mortem examination on the body of the deceased and indicated that the cause of death was unnatural but awaiting toxicology and Histopathology examinations to indicate the actual cause of death.

He said based on the verbal post mortem report by the Pathologist, the five suspects, who were highly suspected to have a hand in the murder of the strip dancer were arrested. Investigations are still ongoing.

Appearing before a Circuit Court in Accra, Emeka Eze was admitted to bail in the sum of GH¢5,000.00 with a surety who is in gainful employment.

Eze has denied the charge of defrauding by false pretences.

He is to reappear on January 14 at the court presided over by Mrs Justice Jane Harriet Akweley Quaye.

Meanwhile Eze who earlier on refunded GH¢3,500.00 has paid back the remaining GH¢ 1,500.00 when he made second appearance before the Court.

Prosecuting, Chief Inspector Simon Apiorsornu told the Court that the Police ares working tirelessly to apprehend Eze’s accomplices.

According to Chief Inspector Apiorsornu, Eze has refunded all the money he allegedly collected from the complainant.

Prosecution said he would inform his superiors about the refund in order to know the next line of action.

The prosecution did not inform the court on the outcome of the orders of the court directed at the Police to test the oil well cement.

The case of the prosecution is that the complainant Kweku Danquah Ofori Atta resides at Dworwulu while Eze lives at Auntie Eku, near Santa Maria in Accra.

Chief Inspector Apiorsornu said on November 19, this year, the complainant received a call from his boss that some people who claimed to be workers of Bui Dam needed oil well cement from Indonesia and that the complainant should contact the Secretary to the Minister of Energy for their details.

Prosecution said the complainant took the details and contacted one of them who claimed to be the Procurement Manager and that they needed the oil well cement from Indonesia.

The prosecution said the so- called procurement manager also claimed they had terminated the contract between them and their former supplier and needed a replacement

According to the prosecution, the supposed procurement Manager, informed the complainant to contact the said seller of the oil well cement and buy one for testing.

He said the complainant contacted the seller who indicated that he was going to send someone of which he accused emerged with the sample of the oil well cement and collected GH¢5,000.00.

Prosecution said after the testing, the accused and his accomplices informed the complainant that the Bui Dam Contractor and his team would be coming to Accra to sign contract with him so he should buy 12 more bags of the said cement.

He said the complainant became suspicious and alerted National Security operatives.

Prosecution said on November 22, this year, Eze was nabbed when he attempted to collect cash in the sum of GH¢120,000.00 from the complainant under the pretext of supplying 12 bags of the oil well cement.

The prosecution said when Eze was nabbed he mentioned one Kofi and Tawiah as his accomplices but failed to lead the police to apprehend them.