Nana Appiah Mensah aka NAM1
The trial of embattled Chief Executive Officer of Menzgold Ghana Limited, Nana Appiah Mensah aka NAM1, has been adjourned to September 2, 2021 as a result of ill health of the accused person.
Lawyer for the accused person yesterday told the court presided over by Her Honour Evelyn Asamoah that NAM1 was not well, has been coughing and had to see a doctor.
“My Lady, our client is not well. He has been coughing and we have asked him to see the doctors this morning. Our apologies to the court for his absence,” Audrey Twum who held brief for Kwame Akuffo told the court.
The prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Slyvester Asare, then told the court that NAM1 had always been in court, and in the absence of the accused person, prayed that the case be adjourned.
The court after deliberating with the prosecution and defence subsequently adjourned the trial to September 2, 2021.
The court at the last sitting on May 27, 2021, adjourned the case after the prosecution was unable to file the necessary processes as ordered by the trial court.
It is unclear whether the prosecution has filed the processes as ordered.
Main Trial
NAM1, together with his wife, Rose Tetteh, and his sister, Benedicta Appiah (both at large), are altogether facing a total of 13 counts of defrauding by false pretence, money laundering, abetment and carrying on deposit-taking business without licence.
The charges include six counts of defrauding by false pretence, abetment, money laundering and carrying on deposit-taking business without licence.
His companies – Menzgold Ghana Limited and Brew Marketing Consult Limited – have also been charged with seven counts of defrauding by false pretences, and carrying on deposit-taking business without licence.
NAM1, on July 26, 2019, pleaded not guilty to all the charges. The court, presided over by Jane Harriet Akweley Quaye, granted him bail to the tune of GH¢1 billion (about $185 million) with five sureties, three of which are to be justified.
Additionally, he was ordered by the court to report to the police every Wednesday.
Unable to satisfy the bail conditions, the defence team, led by Kwame Akuffo, later filed an application asking for variation of the terms.
However, the presiding judge, after listening to both sides, though maintained the sum of GH¢1 billion, removed the condition of three of the five sureties to be justified.
BY Gibril Abdul Razak