The Chief Executive Officer of Gold dealership firm Menzgold Ghana Limited Nana Appiah Mensah has taken ill and has been asked to see his doctors.
Nana Appiah Mensah, affectionately called NAM1 was not in court on Tuesday, July 6 for the Case in which he has been arraigned for defrauding.
Before the Circuit Court in Accra presided over by Her Honour Mrs Evelyn Asamoah, his lawyer Audry Twum holding Kwame Akufo’s brief said their client is “coughing.”
“My Lady, our client is not well. He has been coughing and we have asked him to see the doctors this morning. Our apologies to the court for his absence,” counsel tells the court.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Slyvester Asare, the Prosecutor in the case said the accused has always been in court and for the sake of his absence, he prayed for the case to be adjourned.
EIB Network’s Court Correspondent Murtala Inusah reports that the case has therefore been adjourned to September 2, 2021 after the parties had approached the bench (judge) upon the prosecutor’s request.
Prosecution failed to file processes
At the last court sitting on May 27, prosecution was unable to file processes as per the court orders.
Earlier, the court had ordered prosecution to file the necessary processes prior to the May 27 sitting.
The court warned it would be forced to strike out the case should the prosecution failed to do so.
But, ASP Asare said, prosecution was unable to file the processes on time as directed by the court and “we submit that in all humility this is no deliberate attempt to delay this court.”
According to ASP Asare, “the records will show that at the last sitting, we indicated and pleaded with the court as it is in the interest of justice” and that “this morning we are again on bended knees, although standing, we ask that you give us the necessary ear.”
He said Prosecution will ensure that “we file the necessary processes. We pray that in the interest of justice, my Lady grants an adjournment to enable parties to put their house in order.”
Warning
On March 2, the court warned it would be forced to strike out the case.
The court said it was unhappy about the delay on the part of the prosecution to file the necessary documents to commence the trial.
On that day, ASP Asare, the prosecutor in the case, again prayed the court, to give them more time be to able to file their witness statement and other documents.
It was the case of the prosecution that, the number of victims involved in the case is over 16, 000 people and therefore more time would be required by the prosecution to do the necessary investigations.
ASP Asare prayed with the court for time and begged the court not to strike out the case.
Charges
NAMI was initially charged with abetment of crime, defrauding by false pretences, carrying on a deposit-taking business without a licence, sale of minerals without a licence, unlawful deposit-taking, and money laundering.
It is alleged that the accused had taken various sums of money, totalling GH¢1.6 billion from customers.
The State had previously on June 24, 2020, filed new charges against the CEO of Menzgold, also known as NAM 1 at the Accra Circuit Court.
ASP Sylvester Asare then told the Court that his directives were that he should hold on to the new charges and the plea taking of the accused.
Bail
The Circuit Court on July 26, 2019, granted NAM 1 bail in the sum of GH¢ 1 billion cedis with five sureties, three to be justified.
He had pleaded not guilty to all initial 13 charges levelled against him by the State. The state had since amended its charged sheet which is yet to be moved.
He is also to report to the police every Wednesday at 10:00 hours.
Source: Ghana/Kasapafmonline.com/Murtala Inusah
