The owner of a mining company has told the Accra High Court that En Huang aka Aisha Huang, who is standing trial for alleged illegal mining activities, encroached on his concession at Bepotenten in the Ashanti Region and efforts to stop her proved futile.
Nana Sarfo Prempeh, who is the third prosecution witness said from 2015 to 2017, his company, Volta Resources Limited, took diplomatic and legal action against En Huang’s mining activities on his concession but that did not deter her.
He explained that on June 3, 2015, her activities were first reported to the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) in the Ashanti Region, the chiefs and leaders of Bekwai, but all yielded no results.
He added that his company secured an interim injunction from the Bekwai Circuit Court against the accused on April 11, 2017 and further caused media publications to be made on her activities.
She has been charged with engaging in mining without licence.
Aisha also faces charges of facilitating the participation of persons engaged in a mining operation and illegal employment of foreign nationals and entering Ghana while prohibited.
Led in evidence by Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Yvonne Attakora Obuabisa, the witness testified that his company secured their mining and prospecting licence from Realistic Mining Company who transferred their concession to him.
Aisha’s lawyer, Nkrabeah Effah Dartey, during cross-examination questioned the witness on the injunction he secured adding that it was secured ex-parte and was valid for only for 10 days.
The witness responded that “that is what the court order says”.
Presiding Judge, Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, fixed the next hearing for Monday, where the defence is expected to continue its cross-examination of the witness.
BY NANA BENTSI ODURO
