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An Accra Circuit Court has remanded into police custody a Chinese national, Huang Ruixia alias Ashia Huang for her alleged involvement in illegal mining popularly known as galamsey.
The galamsey kingpin was remanded on Monday, September 5, 2022, by the court presided over by Samuel Bright Acquah.
Ashia Huang and other Chinese nationals, including Gao Jin Cheng, Lu Qi Jun, Haibin Gao, and Zhang Pen were arrested in 2017 for operating mining concessions across the country.
The prosecutor handling the case told the court that the suspect after her arrest sneaked out of the country and returned after she had changed the details on her passport.
Briefing the court, Detective Chief Inspector Fredrick Sarpong said Ashia Huang upon her return into the country started the purchase and sale of minerals and equipment used in illegal mining activities.
Meanwhile, her four other accomplices have also been arraigned before the court.
Background
Aisha and her compatriots were first arraigned on May 9, 2018, for engaging in illegal small-scale mining at Bepotenten in the Amansie Central District of the Ashanti Region and some parts of the country.
She has been charged with three counts of undertaking small-scale mining operations, contrary to Section 99 (1) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703); providing mining support services without valid registration with the Minerals Commission, contrary to the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), and the illegal employment of foreign nationals, contrary to the Immigration Act, 2000 (Act 573).
It was also alleged that she had granted sexual favours to some top officials and continues to enjoy their support due to threats of blackmail if they attempt to expose her.
It is believed that she is very influential and wields a lot of power due to the backing she receives from some high-profile state officers, including top security personnel.
The other four accused persons were charged with disobedience of directives given by or under the Immigration Act, 2000 (Act 573).
According to the prosecution, Aisha had a mining concession at Bepotenten and also operated a mining support services company.
The prosecution also argued that the visas issued to all five Chinese by the Ghana Embassy in Beijing, China, did not allow them to work in Ghana.
