En Huang aka Aisha Huang, the alleged galamsey kingpin, has filed her witness statement as part of the opening of her defence before an Accra High Court.
En Huang is standing trial on three counts of undertaking mining operation without license, facilitating the participation of persons engaged in illegal mining operations and the employment of foreigners and re-entering Ghana after she had been deported in 2018.
She has denied the charges.
In her five-page witness statement, admitted in evidence, Aisha, however, said: “My company (Golden Asia) did not own or operate a mining site in the Amansie Central District of the Ashanti Region.
“I did not engage or employ Gao Jin Cheng, Lu QiJun, Haibin Gao and Zhang Zhipeng to mine or provide mining support service from us or to anyone.
“I say that neither I nor my company, Golden Asia, nor myself have bought any farm or piece of land from prosecution witnesses four, five, six or anyone or own any piece or parcel of land or mining site in the Amansie Central District of the Ashanti region.”
According to Aisha, her company, Golden Asia, did not own or hired any excavators, “chanffans” or other earth moving machines allegedly found at the sites where the four Chinese national were arrested.
Led in her evidence by her defence team, Aisha said two out of the above-mentioned Chinese nationals kept their passports with her in Kumasi.
Aisha, however, admitted to following up at the Ghana Immigration Service to ascertain how she could be of assistance to the four nationals after they had been arrested.
She explained: “None of the four Chinese nationals is my family member.”
She denied knowing or visiting any of the mining sites captured in the videos, pictures and maps tendered before the court by some witnesses.
According to Aisha, she also did not engage in any mining or provide any mining support services although they were licensed to do so.
Aisha told the court that she had lived in Ahodwo, Kumasi in the Ashanti Region from the year 2011 until she was deported in December 2018.
“I say that between the years 2013 and 2018 I operated a supermarket, popularly known as Aisha Supermarket at Ahodwo, Kumasi, having a dominantly Chinese customer base.”
The matter has been adjourned to July 17, 2023, for cross-examination.
Latest Stories
-
We may all resort to vote buying if electorates prioritise such over development – Asiedu Nketiah
10 mins -
NDF engages mineral extraction communities in advocacy and litigation resolution
14 mins -
Adabraka in community A/R unites to combat electoral violence
21 mins -
Forestry Commission cracks down on endangered bush meat trade
22 mins -
Global GDP could plunge by 24% by 2,100 without urgent climate action
23 mins -
High Court dismisses lecturer’s bid to block Deputy IGP’s appointment
31 mins -
MTN records 35.5% growth in profit to GH¢3.76bn in quarter 3, 2024
54 mins -
Deloitte to hold training on navigating customs and excise duty Obligations
57 mins -
Akufo-Addo, Bawumia should have prioritised National Peace Campaign launch – Mahama
57 mins -
AGI works to clamp down on substandard foreign mattresses penetrating Ghanaian markets
59 mins -
Immigration Service intercepts 54 gallons of fuel
1 hour -
Ace Medical Insurance makes its mark at Ghana Club 100 Awards
1 hour -
Dafeamekpor takes Speaker to High Court to affirm vacant seats ruling
1 hour -
Government is not funding GMX music streaming platform – Director of Marketing
1 hour -
Energy sector not advancing enough – ACEP
1 hour