The Tarkwa Circuit Court has remanded twelve persons into prison custody, for causing extensive damage to the railway track between Akyem and Bonsawire in the Western Region.
They are Dennis Adom, a driver, Larri Koku, farmer, Ali Asoma, unemployed, Nurudeen Kobina, vulcanizer, and Jonathan Ayandor, a pastor.
The rest are Alex Kofi Acquah, Kwame Simon, Isaac Arhin, Lambon Moyisi, Jude Azumah, Yenderi Mombe, and Daniel Combat, all illegal miners.
They are currently being charged for conspiracy, undertaking mining operations without license, and causing unlawful damage, but their pleas have not been taken as investigation is still underway.
They would re-appear before the court on October 22, 2025.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Samuel Ahiaboc, prosecuting, told the court presided over by Mrs Hathia Ama Manu that the complainant, Nathaniel Fiifi Henson was the area manager of the Railway Company Limited at Tarkwa.
He said on September 29, 2025, the complainant accompanied by five witnesses in the case who were workers of the company, made a routine visit to the railway track between Akyem and Bonsawire.
ASP Ahiaboc said after the complainant and the witnesses had walked about four kilometres, they discovered that some intruders had illegally mined various places under the old railway track, and they reported the matter to the police.
The Prosecution said on September 30, 2025, a team of policemen within the Western Central Police Command led by ASP De-Ben Edem Selassie, the Regional Operations Commander, carried out operation and arrested the accused persons who were illegally mining around the inactive old rail line.
He said during the operation three water pumping machines were retrieved, while several chanfang equipment were also destroyed.
ASP Ahiaboc informed the court that on October 1, 2025, Mr Mathias Yevugah, the Regional Crime Officer, in the company of the investigator and some of the accused persons- Dennis Adom, Alex Kofi Acquah and Jonathan Ayandor visited the crime scene.
He said on the spot investigation revealed that illegal mining under the railway track had caused significant damage, creating deep trenches and leaving the track in a precarious state.
Source: GNA