It had been widely expected that Nana Appiah Mensah aka NAM 1, the CEO of troubled gold trading firm, Menzgold, would be brought from Dubai, United Arab Emirates this weekend to help investigations into the operations of his company.

This followed the dispatching of a Ghanaian delegation to negotiate for the release of NAM 1 after he was reported to have been arrested in Dubai.

But contrary to the expectations, the Ghanaian delegation made up of security and legal officials could not bring NAM 1 home.

According to a joint statement from the Police and the Economic and Organised Crimes Office (EOCO) on Friday evening, NAM 1 could only be released after his trial in Dubai.

“It is the understanding of the Ghanaian delegation that Mr. Mensah faces misdemeanor charges in the UAE and will be made available to Ghana upon the final determination of his current matter in the UAE. His case is next due for court on Feb 2, 2019,” the statement said.

The statement explained that the delegation had been in the UAE between 16th and 18th of January 2019 with a mandate to assess the nature of the legal processes against NAM1 and to see to the most appropriate means by which Ghana could have him to assist with investigations involving his company in Ghana.

But while the delegation was able to make contact with Mr. Mensah who “provided an extensive statement to Ghanaian security and legal officers to assist in investigations into the Ghana matter for further action,” his release was not secured.

The statement jointly signed by ACP David Eklu, Director-General of Public Affairs, Ghana Police Service and Mr. Abu Issah, Ag. Head of Legal and Prosecution of EOCO, said the two institutions “shall continue with investigations and processes aimed at bringing a resolution to the Ghana matter while following due process.”