The High Court in Accra has granted bail to Charles Bissue, the former Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), and one Andy Owusu.
The two men, charged with 15 counts including abuse of office for profit, have each been granted bail in the sum of GH¢200,000 with two sureties—one of whom must be justified.
As part of the bail conditions, the court has ordered both accused persons to deposit their passports with the court registry and report to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) once every month.
The case has been adjourned to May 29.
The charges stem from alleged acts of corruption in connection with illegal mining activities.
These charges accuse Bissue and Owusu of abusing their public office for personal gain in connection with illegal mining operations, a matter that has garnered significant public attention.
Specifically, the first count against Mr. Bissue alleges that he used his public office for profit, a contravention of Section 179 C (a) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29). The remaining fourteen counts detail further instances of alleged corruption and abuse of office.
Both men have pleaded not guilty.