Four alleged illegal sand winners remanded

The Accra Circuit Court Eight has ordered the remand of four individuals suspected of engaging in illegal sand-winning activities near Teacher Mantey, Amasaman. Kofi Atiemo, 38, Ebenezer Tetteh Gyablatey, 32, John Hayford, 48, and Ebenezer Kwafo, 31, appeared in court with charges of conspiracy to engage in illegal sand winning and unlawful damage to crops. All four were unemployed or drivers, having resided at Teacher Mantey.

Atiemo and Gyablatey were unemployed, while Hayford and Kwafo held driver positions. Despite their denials, the court ruled that the accused should reappear on September 24, 2026. Their defence lawyers sought bail, but the prosecution opposed, citing the serious nature of the charges and the defendants' likelihood of fleeing if released on bail. Judge, influenced by the prosecution, agreed to remand the four accused.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Issah Achiburi presented the case, stating that Francis Okah and Prince Annor, local businessmen, initially reported the illegal activities. Okah owned 4.5 acres of land, while Annor owned two plots. The accused, according to Achiburi, entered their properties using a wheel loader and heavy-duty trucks to win sand. The activities led to the damage of Okah’s fence wall and Annor’s vegetation crops.

The complainants reported the matter to the police, who subsequently arrested the suspects. Achiburi noted that Atiemo was confronted by the complainants but allegedly refused to stop the activities. The police captured footage of the suspects allegedly winning and transporting sand from Annor’s land in two green and blue tipper trucks. Police investigations uncovered more accomplices as well.