The Alliance For Footsoldiers Advocacy (AFFA) has stated that it is both scandalized and dumbfounded by the decision of Mr. Freddie Blay, the immediate past National Chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), to provide legal representation for some suspected Chinese illegal miners who are currently standing trial.
As a result, AFFA has sent a request to Mr. Blay, asking him to stop providing legal services to Chinese galamseyers.
Freddie Blay's political status as the former National Chairman of the ruling party and Board Chairman of GNPC imposes a tacit obligation of due diligence, moral reflection, and the principle of public perception on him, considering the level of public interest in the Aisha Huang case, according to a statement that was issued by AFFA on Wednesday, October 12, 2022. The statement read: "Freddie Blay's political status vis-Ã -vis, former National Chairman of the ruling party and Board Chairman of GN
In addition, it was mentioned that the "degradation caused by operations of illicit mining, particularly foreign nationals who have no regard for the rules of Ghana on mining must be overemphasised," which means that the level of environmental damage cannot be emphasized enough.
It was for this reason that it demanded that Mr. Blay "immediately discontinue holding himself as the lawyer for the alleged Chinese illegal miners."
In addition, it urged other attorneys and non-attorneys who identify with the New Patriotic Party (NPP), which is the party currently in power, to "be circumspect with their actions and inactions on the subject of galamsey, in order to not give credence to the perception that elements of government are the main architects behind the menace."
Mr. Blay is acting as counsel for three Chinese nationals who have been arraigned in connection with the trial involving galamsey queen Aisha Huang.
On Tuesday, October 11, 2022, colleague Ekeleba Blay appeared in court on his behalf and held brief for him.
The three were not allowed to post bail.
The National Investigation Bureau is now in charge of the accused persons as they have been remanded into their custody.
The three are being investigated for allegedly participating in mining activities that are prohibited.
On the other hand, Mr. Blay stated in a statement that his clients are not galamseyers, contrary to what the media has depicted them to be.
According to the statement that was released by Blay & Associates, he is representing four clients: Shi Yang, Shi Meizhi, Le Wei Zuon, and one other. All four of these individuals, along with Aisha Huang, are currently on trial; however, it should be noted that they are not considered to be gamblers.
The following is an excerpt from the statement: "Our clients operate [a] grocery business. They stock regular commodities as well as certain specific Chinese consumables, which makes them a reliable shop for Chinese and Asian patrons."
According to the statement, "Supermarket, regardless of how thriving it is, does not ripen into unlawful mining activities." [Citation needed]
It went on to say that "Our clients have no contact with Aisha Huang, other than the fact that they purchased the supermarket from her in 2017," which was the year that she was originally repatriated to China.
"Upon her return to Ghana, Aisha Huang will have no commercial dealings to conduct with our customers. To clear up any confusion, Aisha Huang was taken into custody at a separate time and location than our clients, who were going about their daily activities at home when the police came to pick them up early on the morning of September 14, 2022.
According to the statement, which provided further clarification, "it appears that our clients are collateral victims of the quest for Aisha Huang and the campaign against illicit mining."
It is common knowledge that Gao Jin Sung, Lu Qi Jun, Haibin Go, and Zhang Zhipeng are all associated with Aisha Huang, although we have no business dealings with them. In addition to this, we do not have any kind of arrangement with Aisha Huang," the statement emphasized.
Source: classfmonline.com
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