NAM1 fraud case adjourned to May 27 as Judge takes leave

An Accra Circuit Court has deferred Nana Appiah Mensah aka NAM1 fraud case to May 27.

This is as a result of the Presiding Judge, Her Honour Evelyn Asamoah’s embarking on leave.

In court today, Tuesday 6^th March 2021 when all the parties were present in court, the Clerk of the Court announced her instructions to suspend the cases to later dates.

NAM 1 was in court with a heavy security presence.

At the last court sitting on March 2, the court warned it would be forced to strike out the case in which the Chief Executive officer (CEO) of Menzgold Ghana Limited Nana Appiah Mensah (NAM1) has been arraigned for fraud.

The court was unhappy about the delay on the part of the prosecution to file the necessary documents to commence the trial.

On that day, ASP Sylvester Asare, the prosecutor in the case, again prayed to the court, to give them more time to folder 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 needed by the prosecution to do the essential investigations.

ASP Asare prayed with the court for time and begged the court not to strike out the case.

Background

It could be recalled that on October 1, 2020, ASP Asare told the court that the hearing is hopeful the ruling will commence that legal year.

According to him, ASP Asare, “the instructions from our solicitors is that they are working hard to forward their advice to the court.”

He told the court that “as we begin the legal year, this matter will be commenced” before praying court to grant them an adjournment.”.

While acknowledging that the prosecution appears to “always come here with one story or the other” ASP Asare prayed the court to “indulge us,” over the delay.

Charges

NAMI was initially charged with abetment of crime, defrauding by false pretenses, carrying on a deposit-taking business without a license, sale of minerals without a license, unlawful deposit-taking, and money laundering.

It is alleged that the accused had taken various sums of money, totaling 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.

On July 20, 2020, ASP Asare told the law court that, they were extremely working to counsel the court on the matter.

He said when the advice is ready they will issue hearing notice to the respondent persons to appear before the court to do the needful.

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: Starrfm.com.gh