The Bekwai Circuit Court has remanded 28 Chinese nationals and three Ghanaians into police custody for allegedly invading the Apamprama Forest Reserve in the Ashanti Region.
The court, presided over by His Lordship Isaac Apeatu, did not take the pleas of the accused persons and ordered them to be remanded to reappear on 12 January 2026.
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Prosecuting, Detective Inspector Eric Twum told the court that due to the large number of suspects involved, the prosecution would require additional time to compile facts and relevant documents. He therefore prayed the court to deny the accused persons bail.
Counsel for the accused, Prince Andrew Akawole, however prayed the court to grant bail, arguing that the suspects, including a female, arrived in the country on 27 December 2025 and could not speak English or Twi, and therefore posed no flight risk.
He added that the accused had people of good standing who were willing to stand as sureties.
In his ruling, the judge said considering the nature of the case and the punishment associated with the alleged offences, he was unable to grant bail. He consequently remanded the suspects into police custody and adjourned the case to 12 January 2026.
