The Enchi District Court in the Western North Region has directed the Forestry Commission to release two confiscated excavators and other mining equipment to individuals accused of engaging in illegal mining in the Boin River Forest Reserve.
The order, issued by His Worship Lawrence Buenor Buer on Friday, March 28, grants the accused, Wisdom Amuzu and his five other associates, the right to relocate the equipment to a place of their choice outside the forest reserve.
Per the ruling, the Forestry Services Division at Enchi must “forthwith allow the Applicant to evacuate and relocate the two (2) Lingong Excavator machines and other mining equipment from the Forest Reserve to a place of his choice outside the Reserve.”
The accused are to bear the full cost of transportation and complete the relocation within three days under the supervision of the Enchi District Police Commander.
The court’s decision comes after the Forestry Commission and the Enchi police arrested the suspects on Sunday, March 23, for allegedly mining illegally in the reserve.
The authorities impounded the excavators and processed the suspects for court.
By Peter Quao Adattor
