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Former New Patriotic Party Chairman Freddie Blay has mounted a strong defense for his law firm’s decision to represent some suspected Chinese illegal miners in court.
The four suspected accomplices of En Huang, also known as Aisha Huang are standing trial for violating Ghana’s mining laws including the sale of minerals and mining without a license.
The four accused persons who are represented by Freddie Blay’s law firm are Shi Yang alias Philip, Li Wei Guo, Shi Mei Zhi, and Nguyen Thi Thanh Tuyen (Vietnamese).
Mr. Blay’s law firm is pushing for the release of the suspects who have been in custody for days. The former Ellembelle MP who spoke to Accra-based Citi FM says he finds nothing wrong with his law firm representing innocent people insisting that his political status should not come in the way of his legal work.
“It’s a wrong impression that some people have. The fact that my law firm is defending them does not mean that government supports and is involved in illegal mining. We all support efforts against galamsey. Personally, I am against galamsey.”
“This does not mean that innocent people should not be represented. Let’s wait for the court to decide. At the end of the day, we will know the truth, that my clients are innocent. They have done nothing wrong and are not involved in galamsey”, he told the radio station.
First time?
This is not the first time a politician’s law firm is making such a move.
Former National Democratic Congress (NDC), Member of Parliament for Akwatia in the Eastern Region, Baba Jamal, secured bail for five Chinese nationals he represented in court in 2021, court documents show.
The five accused Chinese nationals were standing trial for galamsey offenses they committed.
The accused persons were identified as Chen Gubin, Luxiantsu, Yao Zengchan, Cheng Chug Roug, and Xue Lianhua.
Mr. Jamal successfully secured bail for the accused persons.
SOURCE: DAILY MAIL GH