Aisha Huang, known as the 'Galamsey Queen,' has been found guilty of all charges brought against her by the state.
The Accra High Court handed down a four-year prison term to her on Monday, December 4, asaaseradio.com reports
Aisha Huang, standing trial for illegal mining operations without a license, facilitating unlawful participation in mining, and re-entering Ghana post-deportation, had consistently denied the charges and remained in prison custody.
Amid the sentencing, Aisha Huang's legal team advocated for a fine and deportation, considering her year-long incarceration during the trial.
The state's case, represented by security and intelligence officers, accused Aisha Huang of gaining "notoriety" for engaging in illegal small-scale mining activities, known as 'galamsey,' across the country.
According to the prosecution, Aisha had previously evaded arrest in 2017, by leaving the country but allegedly resumed illegal mining upon her unauthorised return.
Aisha Huang faced four charges, including undertaking mining operations without a license, facilitating unlawful participation in mining, employing foreign nationals illegally, and entering Ghana while prohibited from re-entry.
Background
En Huang was accused of being in the thick of affairs of galamsey, especially in the Ashanti Region.
She was deported from the country in 2018, after the A-G decided to discontinue her trial in which she was accused of engaging in small-scale mining without licence.
However, she was said to have sneaked back into the country to allegedly engage in the same activities for which she was deported.
In October 2022, the A-G then decided to prosecute her for the alleged crimes before her deportation and new ones committed since her entry back into the country.
It is the case of the prosecution that Aisha had an illegal mining concession at Bepotenten in the Amansie West District in the Ashanti Region and also operated a mining support services company.
She had pleaded not guilty to undertaking a mining operation without a licence, facilitating the participation of persons engaged in a mining operation, the illegal employment of foreigners, and entering Ghana while prohibited from re-entry.
But on May 3, this year, Aisha pleaded guilty to entering Ghana while prohibited from re-entry contrary to section 20(4) of the Immigration Act, 2000, Act 573.
That was after she had entered into a Plea Bargaining agreement with the State (office of the Attorney General).
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En Huang was accused of being in the thick of affairs of galamsey, especially in the Ashanti Region.
She was deported from the country in 2018, after the A-G decided to discontinue her trial in which she was accused of engaging in small-scale mining without licence.
However, she was said to have sneaked back into the country to allegedly engage in the same activities for which she was deported.
In October 2022, the A-G then decided to prosecute her for the alleged crimes before her deportation and new ones committed since her entry back into the country.
It is the case of the prosecution that Aisha had an illegal mining concession at Bepotenten in the Amansie West District in the Ashanti Region and also operated a mining support services company.
She had pleaded not guilty to undertaking a mining operation without a licence, facilitating the participation of persons engaged in a mining operation, the illegal employment of foreigners, and entering Ghana while prohibited from re-entry.
But on May 3, this year, Aisha pleaded guilty to entering Ghana while prohibited from re-entry contrary to section 20(4) of the Immigration Act, 2000, Act 573.
That was after she had entered into a Plea Bargaining agreement with the State (office of the Attorney General).
File from Graphic Online and Ghanaweb
