Court Orders NAM 1 to File Witness Statements

An Accra High Court hearing the criminal case of the defunct gold dealership firm Menzgold has ordered lawyers for Nana Appiah Mensah to file witness statements on or before October 26, 2024.

According to the trial judge, the three-month window is enough time for the lawyers of the accused persons to procure statements from the witnesses they intend to call, and for the prosecution to study them before the case is recalled after this year’s imminent legal vacation.

Lawyers representing the troubled businessman told the court that they will call “more than three witnesses to give evidence” in the ongoing trial.

This comes a week after the court dismissed a submission of no case filed by the CEO of the defunct gold dealership firm.

On July 11, the court presided over by Justice Ernest Owusu-Dapaah said that the CEO of Brew Marketing Consul, the defunct gold dealership firm, and Menzgold have a case to answer and should open their defence.

NAM1 and his two companies, Brew Marketing Consult and Menzgold have been charged with 39 counts of various offences.

The charges include selling gold without a license, operating a deposit-taking business, inducement to invest, defrauding by pretences, fraudulent breach of trust, and money laundering involving the sum of over GH₵340 million.

The prosecution closed its case after calling nine witnesses.

The court was required to rule on whether the prosecution has sufficiently made its case or a prima facie evidence has been made.

Under the rules of court, at the close of the prosecution’s case, the court shall, on its motion or a submission of no case to answer, give its reasoned decision as to whether the prosecution has or has not led sufficient evidence against the accused person.

In the 110-page ruling by the court, Justice Owusu-Dapaah first ruled on whether or not Menzgold and NAM1 sold gold to anyone.

The court said the prosecution was able to establish that the accused were selling gold.

Source: JoyNews