A Malian businessman who entered Ghana through unapproved routes in defiance of the restrictions imposed on travels has been sentenced to a fine of Ghc 24, 000 by an Accra Circuit Court.
Oulo Aboubacar Mohammed Jamal would in default serve four years imprisonment.
Charged with Breach of Restriction imposed on Travel to Ghana, Jamal pleaded guilty.
The court presided over by Emmanuel Essandoh convicted Jamal on his own plea.
The counsel for the accused informed the court that his client’s entry into Ghana was a mistake and prayed the court to have mercy on him.
Prosecuting, Chief Superintendent of Immigration, Philip Peter Andoh, said on or before March 30, this year, Jamal was arrested at Kambaa check point in the Upper West Region by Officers of the Ghana Immigration Service for entering Ghana through unapproved routes during the pendency of imposition of restriction on travel to Ghana.
Mr. Andoh said subsequently, Jamal was quarantined and tested for COVID-19 at Wa Regional Hospital.
The test however proved negative.
The Prosecution said Jamal was brought to Ghana Immigration Service headquarters in Accra for further investigations.
He said investigations revealed that Jamal deals in Sugar, Maize and other products and that his wife and two children were also in Accra.
The Prosecution said during the month of March this year, Jamal made a business trip to Mali prior to the imposition of restriction on travels to Ghana following the outbreak of COVID-19.
He said despite the restrictions, Jamal engaged the services of a motor rider popularly known as “Okada” from the Burkina side of Ghana’s Border through unapproved routes to Hamile in the Northern Region.
According to prosecution, Jamal attempted to continue his journey to Accra but he was arrested at Kambaa check point at Nandom in the Upper West Region.
The Prosecution said Jamal admitted the offence during investigations.