Chinese Nationals granted bail

An Accra Circuit Court presided over by Justice Francis Obiri On Monday granted bail to ten Chinese Nationals involved in possessing of firearms without lawful authority, in the sum of GHC50,000.00 with three sureties.

The sureties, who are supposed to be Ghanaian public servants, must not earn less than GHC1500.00, a month.

The accused persons are to deposit their passports with the registry of the court.

The accused person at the last adjourned date pleaded not guilty to the charge through an interpreter.

Mr Seidu Nasigri, the counsel for the accused persons prayed the court to reduce the bail bond, since it was harsh however the court noted that if they try and failed to meet the bail conditions it could be reviewed.

Prosecuting, Stephen Adjei, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), told the court that, the police got information to the effect that some Chinese Nationals were doing illegal mining (Galamsey) at Obuasi and its environs.

He said Police personnel led by Chief Superintendent Peter Ndebugri mounted an operation in Obuasi on May 9 and arrested the accused persons.

The prosecution said a search conducted in their premises led to the retrieval of the eight pump action guns, one locally made pistol with four 38mm live ammunition, twenty-one 9mm live ammunition, 198 cartridges and four communication equipment.

The accused persons, who pleaded not guilty through an interpreter, include: Wei Hanwei, Excavator Engineer; Huang Huan Kao, Mechanic; Meng Xing Gou, Mechanic; Zhang Xiong Fei, Engineer; and Li Hia Jian, Mechanic.

The rest are: He Shi Lin, Engineer; Lu Shi Lin, Engineer; Lu Shun Ming, Mechanic; Wei Guo Cai, Mechanic; Zhou Ping, Mechanic; and Li Qicho, Mechanic.

The case was adjourned to May 21.