The Accra Circuit Court has granted bail to four employees of Koilonia Minerals Investment Ltd, arrested for allegedly engaging in the illegal buying and selling of gold at Santasi in the Ashanti Region.
The accused persons Obeng Adu Kofi, 28 (Assayer); Bright Nkrumah, 36 (Fabricator); Alex Oppong, 38 (Trader); and Raphael Zigah, 53 (Accountant) are facing two charges: conspiracy to commit a crime and engaging in the buying and selling of gold without authority.
These are in violation of Sections 23(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) and Sections 63(2) and 6002Y of the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140).
According to the brief facts presented by Prosecuting Officer, Jacob M. Kuubal, Esq., and Detective Chief Inspector Issah Mohammed, a joint security operation led by the Ghana Gold Board, National Security, and the Police, stormed the company’s premises in Santasi following a tip-off.
The operation led to the arrest of the four accused persons and the seizure of exhibits believed to be linked to illegal gold trading.
Among the items retrieved were GH¢294,450.00 in cash, US$450.00, 43 pellets and 23 plates of suspected gold weighing approximately 938.6 grams, a Toyota Hilux key, and two wristwatches.
The court was informed that the accused, who are merely employees of the company, were cooperating with investigations and had no influence over ongoing proceedings. Their legal counsel appealed for bail, arguing that they are presumed innocent until proven guilty and are not in a position to tamper with evidence or interfere with the investigation.
Counsel emphasised that although the accused reside in Kumasi, they have relatives in Accra capable of standing surety. He further stressed that the accused persons are “men and women of substance,” and should not be remanded simply due to the gravity of the offence.
The presiding judge, in granting bail, noted that while the case touches on Ghana’s economic security, the accused have a constitutional right to bail. Each accused was granted bail in the sum of GH¢500,000 with two sureties — one of whom must be justified and reside within the court’s jurisdiction.
The accused must deposit their Ghana Cards with the court and report to the National Security Secretariat every Monday and Friday. The bail conditions are subject to revocation if breached.
The matter has been adjourned to June 24, 2025, at 1:00 PM, pending further investigation and testing of the seized metal to confirm if it is indeed gold. Investigators are also pursuing Daniel Mensah, believed to be linked to the company’s operations.
