The Bekwai Circuit Court has adjourned to April 15, 2026, the case involving employees of Edelmetallum Resources Limited, who are standing trial for allegedly assaulting a JoyNews investigative team probing illegal mining activities at Manso Asumenya in the Ashanti Region.

The adjournment on Monday, December 8, 2025, follows an appeal filed by the defence at the Obuasi High Court.

Counsel for the accused urged the Circuit Court to stay proceedings until the appeal is determined. After hearing submissions from both sides, the court granted the request.

The accused persons face five charges, including assault, conspiracy to commit a crime, and stealing. Five other suspects are still at large. All the accused pleaded not guilty during their initial appearance and were granted bail.

The court had earlier dismissed a submission of “no case” filed by the defence for four of the accused.

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Background

On October 20, 2024, at about 11:30 a.m., four JoyNews journalists — Erastus Asare Donkor, Majid Alidu, Edward Arkoh, and Nicholas Suantah — visited Manso Asumenya to investigate the destruction of forest reserves, farmlands, and water bodies allegedly linked to illegal mining by Edelmetallum Resources Limited.

According to the prosecution, the crew was attacked while on duty and subjected to severe beatings by the accused. The journalists were allegedly forced into their vehicle, guarded by two heavily built men, and transported to a remote forest area near Asanko Gold Mines at Manso Nkran.

The assaults reportedly intensified when the journalists refused to delete footage of the mining activities. Erastus Asare Donkor and drone pilot Majid Alidu sustained swollen eyes, while the rest of the team also suffered injuries.

The accused allegedly seized the crew’s mobile tablets, a drone, and SD cards containing recorded footage. Although some equipment was later returned, the 128GB SD card with the investigative material was never recovered.

The attackers are also accused of stealing a black pack bag containing a Lenovo 12 Pro tablet, a drone bag with five batteries, a power bank, a JBL headset, a Ghana Civil Aviation licence, and other personal items valued at GH₵35,000.

The journalists later reported the incident to the Manso Adubia Police, leading to the arrests.

The case remains on hold as the High Court prepares to hear the defence’s appeal.