The Obuasi Circuit Court has ordered 10 suspected illegal miners into prison custody after they were arrested for operating beneath an ECG high-tension pole along the Asikasu–Obuasi Highway in the Ashanti Region.
The group was reportedly picked up on April 29, 2026, during a patrol operation conducted by officers from the Jacobu District Police Command.
Appearing for the first time before His Honour Eric Danin, all 10 accused persons entered not guilty pleas to charges of illegal mining activities.
They are facing prosecution for mining without a licence, an offence under Section 99(2A) of the Minerals and Mining Act.
The accused, aged between 28 and 58, include Amadu Salifu, Obeng Emmanuel, Isaac Opoku, Madi Akurugu, Munkaila Konlan, Abdul Razak, Alex Owusu, Eric Agyei, Gordon Ampong, and Kofi Opoku.
Chief Inspector Godfred Salifu, who led the prosecution, told the court that the arrest took place around 3:20 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, during a police sweep.
He explained that the suspects had excavated trenches and were actively engaged in mining activities directly under ECG high-voltage installations along the highway stretch.
According to him, the situation posed a serious risk, with the potential to trigger widespread power outages affecting both Obuasi and parts of the Amansie enclave.
He therefore urged the court to remand the accused while investigators complete their work following the entry of their pleas.
The court granted the request and remanded all 10 into prison custody. They are expected to return on May 6, 2026.
