The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, have expressed his intention to challenge the trial court’s decision in the case of Aisha Huang for more jail term
The focus of the appeal is to assess the appropriateness of applying the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2015 (Act 900) in this instance. Mr. Dame aims to advocate for the application of the newer sentencing provisions established by the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 995) to Aisha Huang.
Aisha Huang was recently sentenced to four and a half years in prison on December 4, 2023, for mining without a license. Additionally, a GH¢48,000 fine was imposed by the court. The judge, after carefully considering arguments from both the prosecution and defense, found Aisha Huang guilty.
It’s noteworthy that the accused had previously faced similar charges but was subject to a four-year sentence due to the limitations of the old legal regime, which mandated a maximum sentence of five years.
Under the new Act (Act 995), offenses like Aisha Huang’s could result in jail terms exceeding 20 years. In response to the trial outcome, the Attorney General issued a statement on Tuesday, acknowledging the efficiency of the justice system.
The Attorney General’s Press Release
The Attorney General’s Press Release
However, he emphasized the need to verify the appropriateness of applying Act 900 to Aisha Huang’s case and intends to file an appeal at the Court of Appeal for a reassessment. Additionally, Mr. Dame urged the public to be cautious in their comments on Aisha Huang’s judgment, citing concerns about potential misinformation.
