The High Court yesterday, rejected an application by Charles Bissue, the first accused in an ongoing criminal trial, seeking temporary release of his passport to travel to the United Kingdom and the United States.
Presiding over the case, the court ruled that Mr Bissue’s request failed to provide sufficient justification for the travel.
The judgment highlighted that the submitted flight ticket was purchased after the application was filed, while the school admission letter presented was merely provisional.
The prosecution strongly opposed the motion, arguing there was “no genuine intention” behind the travel plans and that the request appeared to be an attempt to circumvent the judicial process.
With the application dismissed, the court adjourned proceedings to May 29, 2025, for continuation of the trial.
Mr Bissue remains restricted from international travel as the case progresses.
Charles Bissue, a former Secretary to the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), is facing corruption-related charges brought by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
The case stems from investigations into illegal mining activities, with allegations of misconduct during his tenure.
In November 2024, the Human Rights Court dismissed the final in a series of suits filed by Charles Bissue aimed at preventing the Office of the Special Prosecutor from arresting, investigating, or charging him.
Mr Bissue had previously obtained a 10-day ex parte injunction restraining the OSP from arresting him, alleging that the warrant issued was unlawfully procured and intended to harass him.
He also sought a declaration that a notice marking him as wanted was void.
In its judgment, the Court found Bissue’s claims entirely unfounded, stating there was no evidence to support his allegations. The central question was whether an arrest warrant had indeed been issued by the Kaneshie District Court for OSP against Bissue.
The Court ruled that it was Bissue’s responsibility to provide proof of such a warrant, which he failed to do.
The Judge concluded that no warrant had been issued and dismissed the claim as a figment of the imagination of Bissue and awarded costs of GHC10,000 against him.
This ruling cleared the path for the OSP to continue its investigations into Mr Bissue’s involvement with the defunct IMCIM and in another separate case pursue charges related to allegations of corruption as depicted in the Tiger Eye P.I. documentary Galamsey Fraud Part 1.