Six individuals have appeared before the Bekwai Circuit Court in the Ashanti Region, accused of assaulting a JoyNews crew investigating illegal mining activities in Manso Asumenya.
The defendants—Felix Amankwah, Akwasi Frimpong, Frederick Afful, Josuah Ofori, Mumumi Musah, and Daniel Appiah—are employees of Edelmetallum Resources Limited and range in age from 23 to 52 years. Five additional suspects remain at large.
The charges against them include the forcible abduction of Erastus Asare Donkor, Majid Alidu, Edward Arkoh, and Nicholas Suantah, along with allegations of severe physical assault and subsequent abandonment of the crew.
The prosecution, led by ASP Llyod Baidoo, has filed five counts against the accused, including assault, conspiracy to commit a crime, and theft.
All six defendants pleaded not guilty. Their attorney, Elvis Ofori Asante, requested bail, noting their good behavior during the police inquiry.
The prosecution did not oppose this request. Presiding Judge Justice Isaac Appiatu granted bail, requiring two sureties of GH₵100,000 and mandating that the accused report to the Manso Adubia police every Monday until the next court date.
The case is set to resume on Friday, December 13, 2024.
Background of the Case
On October 20, 2024, at approximately 11:30 AM, the complainants were in Manso Asumenya to investigate environmental damage and water pollution attributed to illegal mining by Edelmetallum Resources Limited. While conducting their investigation, the crew was attacked and subjected to torture.
The accused unlawfully detained the crew in their vehicle, forcing them to a remote area near Asanko Gold Mines at Manso Nkran.
When the crew refused to delete their footage documenting the mining activities, the attackers physically assaulted them, resulting in injuries such as swollen eyes for team leader Erastus Asare Donkor and drone operator Majid Alidu.
The attackers also seized the crew’s mobile tablets, a drone, and Samsung SD cards valued at approximately GH₵500.
Although the tablets and drone were later returned, the SD cards containing vital footage were not. Additionally, personal items worth about GH₵35,000, including a Lenovo tablet and other equipment, were stolen from the crew’s vehicle before they were abandoned in the forest.
The crew subsequently reported the incident to the Manso Adubia Police, leading to the arrests of the accused individuals.
