Atiwa East DCE files appeal after GHS15k contempt fine

The Atiwa East District Chief Executive (DCE), Ernest Ntim, has filed an appeal against a contempt ruling by the Koforidua High Court 2 following his conviction over alleged involvement in illegal mining activities on protected land in the Eastern Region.

Speaking on Citi Eyewitness News on Monday, December 15, Mr. Ntim confirmed that his legal team has formally initiated the appeal process, saying he intends to challenge the ruling until all evidence is fully examined in public.

He clarified that the court did not impose a custodial sentence but fined him and three others, adding that the amount was shared among the four individuals. He dismissed media reports suggesting he had been jailed, describing them as inaccurate.

According to Mr. Ntim, the appeal will focus on evidence purportedly linking him directly to the illegal mining site, particularly a video he claims has not been publicly played or subjected to proper scrutiny. He maintained that he was unfairly implicated and accused unnamed individuals of orchestrating the case against him.

The Atiwa East DCE said he has, since assuming office, briefed senior government officials about what he described as coordinated efforts to undermine him. He expressed confidence that President John Dramani Mahama would not take any administrative action without first hearing his side of the matter.
“I was asked to pay a fine, and we immediately applied for an appeal. I will follow up on this case until the video they claim shows me on the land is played for everyone to see. I was only fined. The GTV station that published the jail story was not in court. I do not think the President will act on calls for my removal without first listening to my side,” he said.

The Koforidua High Court 2 fined Mr. Ntim GH¢15,000 after finding him in contempt of court for allegedly continuing illegal mining activities despite an injunction application pending before the court.

The court held that Mr Ntim and members of his team were responsible for environmental damage, including the destruction of farmlands and the pollution of the Koben River, a major water source for several communities.