The High Court (Criminal Division) in Accra has granted bail to Charles Bissue, former Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), and Andy Owusu, an aide to Bernard Antwi Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The two faced 15 criminal charges filed by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) related to alleged corruption and bribery in a mining licence renewal case.
Background of the Case
According to the charges, between January and February 2019, Mr. Bissue allegedly accepted bribes totaling GH₵35,000 from Benjamin Adjapong, directly and through Owusu, to expedite the renewal of an expired mining licence for ORR Resources Enterprise without proper documentation.
Bail Conditions
The court admitted them to bail in the sum of GH₵200,000 each, with two sureties each, one of whom must be justified. The case has been adjourned to May 29, 2025, for a Case Management Conference (CMC) to clarify issues, disclose evidence, and set timelines.
The CMC will play a crucial role in streamlining the trial process. The legal representatives of the accused declined to comment after the session. The case will continue on May 29, 2025.
Godfred Sey/ Ahotoronline.com
