NAM1 Finally Enters The Box After Years Of Delay

Founder of the defunct Menzgold Ghana Limited, Nana Appiah Mensah, popularly known as
NAM1, has finally opened his defence in the ongoing criminal trial after several attempts to
stall proceedings.

Giving oral testimony before a High Court in Accra, presided over by Justice Ernest Owusu-
Dapaa, NAM1, led by his new counsel, Paa Joy Akuamoah Boateng, told the court that Menzgold operated under a license issued by the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC). At the start of proceedings, defence counsel informed the court that an application to stay proceedings had been rendered moot, following the withdrawal of a substantive application pending before the Supreme Court.

Counsel, therefore, prayed the court to strike out the motion dated January 13, 2026. The prosecution, represented by State Attorney Watkins Adama, said it was not opposed to the request. The court subsequently struck out the motion as withdrawn, noting that an appeal against the summary of proceedings remains pending.

The trial was ordered to continue. Answering questions in evidence- in-chief, NAM1 confirmed that Menzgold Ghana Limited was duly incorporated under the laws of Ghana.
He told the court that the company was established to undertake gold mining, gold buying,
value addition and export, among other activities.

He admitted that such operations required licensing from relevant state institutions.
According to him, at the time of Menzgold’s operations, the company held the necessary licenses. He said Menzgold applied to PMMC, completed all required documentation, paid the prescribed fees and went through internal screening processes before being issued a license to operate.

He added that two to three years later, PMMC’s mandate changed, with government designating it as a national assayer rather than a licensing authority, after which Menzgold was invited to sign a licence agreement with the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources.

NAM1 further told the court that he had proof of the licenses and incorporation documents but had been unable to access them. He explained that when the Securities and Exchange Commission shut down the company, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) preserved all Menzgold offices, making it impossible for him to retrieve critical documents needed for his defence.

The court directed the accused persons to file their proposed documentary evidence at least three clear days before the next sitting. NAM1 was also ordered to file his witness statement by February 9, 2026.

The case has been adjourned to February 19, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. for Case Management Conference (CMC), failing which the oral testimony of the first accused will continue.

The post NAM1 Finally Enters The Box After Years Of Delay appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.

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