Forty four out of the 45 illegal miners standing trial in Tamale in the Northern Region have been granted bail.
They are expected to reappear in court for the trial to continue on September 22, 2014.
The suspected illegal miners were charged on three counts; entering the country through unapproved routes, failing to appear before immigration officer and engaging in illegal employment.
All of them pleaded guilty for failing to appear before immigration officer whilst some pleaded guilty for passing through unapproved routes.
Two of them who possessed passports but engaged in illegal employment were convicted upon pleading guilty and they were fined GHC 600 each.
One of them who instantly paid the fine was granted bail while the other person is still in prison pending payment.
The Presiding Judge, His Honour Senyo Amedehe discharged one of them identified as a minor.
Both Guinean and Malian Chancellors to Ghana attended the court sitting.
The Malian Chancellor engaged the services of a Ghanaian lawyer to defend his people.
[contextly_sidebar id=”DHktQY9WSaWhpGSRf6Pm0WURFCe0bHBo”]All 45, majority of whom are ECOWAS nationals from Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso were rounded up in Bole in the Northern Region.
The operation was carried by immigration officials under the supervision of Assistant Director of Immigration in charge of the Northern Region, Eric Afari.
Mr. Afari earlier told Citi News that his officers retrieved mining equipment, motorbikes and an undisclosed amount of money from the accused persons.
By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com