Tarkwa: The Tarkwa Circuit Court has remanded twelve individuals into prison custody for causing extensive damage to the railway track between Akyem and Bonsawire in the Western Region.

According to Ghana News Agency, the accused individuals include Dennis Adom, a driver, Larri Koku, a farmer, Ali Asoma, who is unemployed, Nurudeen Kobina, a vulcanizer, and Jonathan Ayandor, a pastor. The remaining accused are Alex Kofi Acquah, Kwame Simon, Isaac Arhin, Lambon Moyisi, Jude Azumah, Yenderi Mombe, and Daniel Combat, all identified as illegal miners.

The individuals are currently facing charges of conspiracy, undertaking mining operations without a license, and causing unlawful damage. Their pleas have not yet been taken due to ongoing investigations. They are scheduled to reappear before the court on October 22, 2025.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Samuel Ahiaboc, prosecuting, informed the court, presided over by Mrs. Hathia Ama Manu, that the complainant, Nathaniel Fiifi Henson, serves as the area manager of the Railway Company Limited in Tarkwa. On September 29, 2025, Henson, along with five company workers, conducted a routine visit to the railway track between Akyem and Bonsawire and discovered illegal mining activities beneath the old railway track. This prompted them to report the incident to the police.

The prosecution stated that on September 30, 2025, a police operation led by ASP De-Ben Edem Selassie, the Regional Operations Commander, resulted in the arrest of the accused individuals who were engaged in illegal mining around the inactive old rail line. During the operation, three water pumping machines were retrieved, and several pieces of chanfang equipment were destroyed.

ASP Ahiaboc informed the court that on October 1, 2025, Mr. Mathias Yevugah, the Regional Crime Officer, along with the investigator and some of the accused individuals, including Dennis Adom, Alex Kofi Acquah, and Jonathan Ayandor, visited the crime scene. The investigation revealed that illegal mining beneath the railway track had caused significant damage, creating deep trenches and leaving the track in a precarious state.