Aisha Huang
The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, yesterday challenged illegal mining kingpin, Aisha Huang who is standing trial for illegal mining that she also operated a company illegally when she served as a Director and Secretary of Golden Asia Company Limited located in Kumasi.
Though the accused person tried to deny her involvement with the company which the DPP said had mining as one of its objects as contained in her own witness statement, the accused agreed being a Director of the company but said she did not sign as a representative of the company.
The accused, who is before an Accra High Court for illegal mining and illegal employment of foreign nationals contrary to section 24 of the Immigration Act, 2000, Act 573, had indicated in her witness statement that she operated a supermarket popularly known as Aisha Supermarket at Ahodwo in Kumasi between 2013 and 2018.
But the DPP while cross-examining her pointed out to her that she was operating illegally because she was living in Ghana at the time on a spousal permit, and that did not give her the permit to work or operate a business.
Aisha Huang initially denied the assertion that she operated illegally, but when shown what is now exhibit F – a copy of her residence permit form which states that no occupation or business or reward permitted, told the court, “I did not know.”
Hope Agboado, one of the lawyers representing the accused, objected to this line of questioning, indicating that the accused is not on trial for illegally operating a company and it would be unfair for the court to allow her answer questions that are self-incriminating.
The DPP opposed the objection and argued that the question was relevant, and the accused person herself had introduced issues relating to the company in her witness statement.
Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, the presiding judge, overruled the objection saying the accused had introduced the topic herself and the prosecution was allowed to solicit more responses on that.
“I put it to you that you knew you were not allowed to work in Ghana till you got an indefinite permit but operated illegally,” the DPP asked. “I do not agree,” Ms. Huang responded.
Mrs. Obuobisa then put it to the accused that one of the objects for setting up Golden Asia Company Limited was for mining, but the accused said no.
But when she was shown a copy of the company profile on which she listed mining as one of its objects, Aisha Huang told the court “when I was applying for the company they gave me all these as what the company was to undertake, that was why it is there.”
And when the DPP pushed further that “In fact, in paragraph 32 of your witness statement, you said you registered the company with the objective of mining.”
Aisha Huang then responded “Yes, it is so.”
The accused also agreed being a Director of the company but said she did not sign as a representative of the company when confronted that it had the object to engage in import and export of general goods and mining.
“Aisha, in exhibit U which is the company profile of Golden Asia Limited you are listed both as Secretary and Director, so it cannot be true that you do not remember signing as a representative of the company,” the DPP quizzed.
“I do not agree with counsel. When I signed I just signed,” the accused replied.
“I put it to you that in accordance with your objective to mine you did carry out mining at Bepotenten,” the DPP further asked and the accused replied “Not so, my Lady. We just operated all the objectives but we never engaged in mining.”
The case was adjourned for continuation of cross-examination today.
BY Gibril Abdul Razak