The High Court has directed that the first prosecution witness (PW1) in the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s case against former Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM) Secretary, Charles Bissue, will testify in camera. The court cited risks to the witness’s safety and the need to safeguard ongoing undercover operations.
The judge acknowledged the constitutional requirement for open court proceedings but noted that the law permits the exclusion of the public and press when necessary to protect lives and ensure the proper administration of justice.
In its ruling, the court identified the witness, investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, as an undercover operative whose identity and current assignments could be compromised if he appears publicly. The court also referenced previous violent incidents involving investigative journalists, concluding that exposing the witness would pose a “reasonable operational risk.”
The judge emphasised that the arrangement does not undermine the fair-trial rights of the accused, who will retain full access to the witness for cross-examination.
Key directives issued by the court include:
PW1’s testimony—including evidence-in-chief, cross-examination and all related questioning—will be heard in camera.
Only defence lawyers, the accused persons, designated court staff and security personnel will be allowed inside the courtroom.
Accredited journalists may later apply for transcripts, but sensitive information such as the witness’s residential details will be redacted.
The court registrar has been instructed to put all necessary measures in place ahead of the closed-door session.
The ruling sets the stage for a tightly controlled witness appearance as the high-profile trial continues.
Story: Nyamebeye Kofi Ansah Sasraku