Andy Owusu second accused in unlawful mining trial seeks plea settlement
Mr Andy Owusu, the second accused within the ongoing prison proceedings involving Mr Charles Bissue, a former presidential staffer, has commenced plea cut price negotiations with the Workplace of the Particular Prosecutor (OSP).
Mr Owusu, who serves as a particular aide to Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman, Mr Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also called Chairman Wontumi, has formally indicated his intention to enter right into a plea settlement with the prosecution.
In keeping with the cost sheets, Bissue was accused of utilizing his public workplace for revenue, opposite to Part 179C(a) of the Felony Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
It was alleged that he acquired GH¢15,000 from one Bemanin Adjapong by Owusu on or round January 22, 2019, in Accra.
The OSP alleges that Bissue corruptly abused his place as IMCIM Secretary by accepting the cash to bypass established procedures outlined within the Committee’s 2018 “Street Map for Lifting of Ban on Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining.”
These procedures included the verification of paperwork, acquisition of related permits, demarcation and mapping of concessions, and vetting processes.
By way of this motion, Bissue was alleged to have unlawfully fast-tracked the renewal of mining permits for particular operators.
The 15-count cost sheet particulars a number of offences involving the abuse of workplace, corruption, and efforts to undermine lawful mining rules on the peak of Ghana’s crackdown on unlawful mining actions, popularly referred to as “galamsey” Ghanaian trend.
At a Case Administration Convention, State prosecutors knowledgeable the court docket that discussions on the plea association have been in progress and {that a} formal discover to that impact had been filed.
Ought to the proposed plea settlement be accepted by the court docket, it will allow the prosecution to proceed towards Owusu individually, thereby permitting the State to pay attention its prosecutorial efforts on the substantive costs towards Mr. Bissue.
The court docket subsequently adjourned the matter to June 4, 2025 to permit time for the finalisation of the plea negotiations.
They’re standing trial for 15 counts of corruption-related offences, together with abuse of workplace for revenue.
Each accused individuals pleaded not responsible.
They have been granted a GH¢200,000 bail with two sureties, one to be justified.
The accused individuals have been to deposit their passports with the Registry of the Court docket and to report back to the Workplace of the Particular Prosecutor (OSP) as soon as each month.
Supply: GNA
The submit Andy Owusu second accused in illegal mining trial seeks plea agreement appeared first on Ghana Business News.
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