The Kyebi District Court has granted bail to five individuals accused of impersonating officials of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) at Akyem Potrase in the Abuakwa South Municipality of the Eastern Region.

The accused were granted bail with two sureties each. The sureties must be salaried workers earning between GH¢3,000 and GH¢4,000 monthly.

Presenting the facts of the case, Prosecutor Detective Chief Inspector Kamal Salifu Gumah of the Eastern South Legal Prosecution Unit told the court that the suspects allegedly posed as NAIMOs officials and engaged in acts of extortion.

According to the prosecution, one of the accused persons is alleged to have extorted GH¢1,400 from two victims under threat.

The five accused pleaded not guilty to four charges, including conspiracy to commit a crime contrary to Sections 23 and 15(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29); extortion contrary to Section 15(1) of Act 29; conspiracy to commit crime; and falsely pretending to be public officers contrary to Section 237 of the same Act.

Counsel for the accused applied for bail, which the court granted.

The case has been adjourned to February 9, 2026, for a case management conference.