The Koforidua High Court 2 has reaffirmed the authority of the judiciary by fining the District Chief Executive of Atiwa East, Ernest Ntim, an amount of GHc 12,000 for contempt of court in connection with an ongoing illegal mining dispute.
The ruling, delivered on Monday, December 15, follows a contempt application filed by a miner in May 2025, accusing the DCE of flouting a court order that barred all parties from entering or undertaking any activity on a disputed parcel of land.
Court records indicate that an injunction had earlier been granted to restrain the DCE and other individuals from accessing the land, carrying out mining operations, removing soil, or dealing with the property in any form while a substantive suit remains before the court. However, the applicant alleged that the DCE defied the order by entering the land and allowing mining activities to continue.
The situation reportedly escalated on May 2, 2025, when one of the DCE’s brothers was confronted at the site and claimed that his brother’s impending confirmation as DCE would place him above the law, including the courts. This incident formed part of the evidence relied on by the applicant to demonstrate what was described as a deliberate and willful disregard for the authority of the court.
Following a complaint to the Eastern South Regional Police Command in Kyebi, arrests were made at the mining site. The applicant further alleged that the DCE later confronted him over the arrests, warning that the matter should be withdrawn and suggesting that once confirmed as DCE, he would take control of the land.
In its ruling, the court held that the conduct amounted to contempt and an interference with the administration of justice, leading to the imposition of the fine.
The substantive land and mining dispute is still pending before the court, and proceedings are expected to continue in the coming weeks.
