Baba Jamal
In the midst of the brouhaha over the decision by some legal firms with links to known NPP members to render services to people facing the law for illegal mining, it has emerged that an NDC lawyer and former MP for Akwatia, Baba Jamal, last year represented five Chinese and two Ghanaians standing trial for illegal mining.
Baba Jamal, who served as Deputy Information Minister under the late Professor Mills’ administration, fought so hard that he managed to secure bails for his clients, even though he was once an MP for a galamsey ravaged area in the Eastern Region.
Legal politics
In the past few days, a section of the public, especially opposition elements, have been raising issues with the decisions by the law firms of Capt. Nkrabea Effah-Dartey, former NPP MP for Berekum, and Freddie Blay, former NPP National Chairman, to serve as counsel for some alleged illegal miners.
They contend that their actions defeat the principles of decency and public interest as far as government’s fight against the menace is concerned.
But documents available to the Daily Statesman indicate that this assertion by the NDC elements appears hypocritical as some lawyers from their camp have been busily going to court every now and then to defend suspected galamseyers.
In the case of Baba Jamal, he was the counsel for five Chinese and two Ghanaians accused of illegal mining. The Chinese were Chen Guibin, Lu Xiantsu, Yao Zengchan, Cheng Chun Rong and Xue Lianhua while the Ghanaians were Richard Gasu and Joshua Osei Badu.
The case, which was heard at an Accra High Court, saw Baba Jamal file an application for bail for his clients on May 20, 2021, with the court granting the bail on May 28, 2021.
His affidavit in opposition partly read: “That on 20th day of May 2021, we filed an application for bail pending trial at the registry of this Honourable Court and on 28th day of May, 2021, out prayer was heard and we were admitted to bail”.
Nothing wrong
Meanwhile, Mr Freddie Blay has said he finds nothing wrong with his law firm representing some Chinese nationals standing trial together with En Huang, also known as Aisha Huang, for illegal mining offences.
He believes his firm has the responsibility of representing persons they believe are innocent of charges brought against them.
In an interview on Citi Breakfast Show, he said 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 added.
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