Attorney-General Godfred Dame has said his attention has been drawn to various misleading comments by some sections of the public in reaction to the judgment on Chinese National Aisah Huang who has been jailed for engaging in illegal small-scale mining (Galamsey).
The Attorney-General says it ‘respectfully’ entreats members of the public, including lawyers, to be mindful of the facts of the case and desist from comments which not only jeopardize the ‘sound and efficient administration of justice’ but also undermine the fight against illegal mining.
The High Court presided over by Justice Lydia Osei-Marfo, on Monday, December 4 sentenced Aisha Huang to four years in prison after being found guilty of engaging in Galamsey.
She was also fined GHC48,000.00.
The Court ruled that Aisha Huang did not have a license to undertake any mining activities in Ghana.
But scores of Ghanaians have expressed concern about the nature of the punishment.
For instance, a Private legal practitioner Sheila Minkah-Premo, said she expected a harsher punishment for Aisha Huang.
Commenting on this on the Ghana Tonight show on TV3 Monday, December 4, Madam Sheila Minkah-Premo said “I have followed the case a bit, in my view, I think the punishment is a bit lenient.
“I expected something heavier once she was found to be guilty. But I guess the judge gave her own reasons why the sentencing came as it is.”
But the A-G in a statement said “The attention of the Attorney-General has been drawn to various misleading comments by some sections of the public in reaction to the judgment. The Attorney-General hereby respectfully, entreats members of the public including lawyers, to be mindful of the facts stated above and desist from comments which not only jeopardise the sound and efficient administration of justice but also undermine the fight against illegal mining (galamsey).
“The Attorney-General expresses appreciation for the relatively swift manner (a little over one year) in which justice has been dispensed in this case. Same underscores the commitment to the punishment of illegal mining offences. Whilst applauding the efficiency of the justice delivery system witnessed in the trial of Aisha Huang, the Attorney-General will however test the soundness of the decision of the trial court to punish the accused person under Act 900, by filing an appeal at the Court of Appeal, against the sentence in order to ensure that the new sentencing regime imposed by Act 995 is applied to the accused person.”
By Laud Nartey
