NAM1 ordered to file evidence by July 6 in Menzgold case

The High Court in Accra has given Nana Appiah Mensah, popularly known as NAM1, and his two companies until July 6, 2026, to file the evidence they intend to rely on in their defence in the Menzgold criminal trial.

The order covers witness statements, supplementary statements and any proposed exhibits, including audio-visual recordings.

Justice Sedinam Awo Kwadam issued the directive after granting two applications filed on behalf of NAM1, Menzgold Ghana Limited and Brew Marketing Consult Limited.

The accused persons are standing trial over allegations that they defrauded customers through the operations of the now-defunct gold dealership business.

NAM1 and the two companies are answering 35 of the 39 charges initially brought in the case.

The charges include selling gold without a licence, operating a deposit-taking business without authorisation, inducement to invest, defrauding by false pretence, fraudulent breach of trust and gold laundering.

They have all pleaded not guilty.

During the hearing, Paa Joy Akuamoah Boateng, lawyer for NAM1 and Menzgold, told the court that the application was seeking more time to file witness statements.

He also asked for permission for NAM1 to file a supplementary witness statement and additional evidence.

Counsel for Brew Marketing Consult also moved a separate application asking for time to file the company’s witness statements and other disclosure materials.

The prosecution, led by Senior State Attorney Watkins Adamah, did not oppose the applications.

However, Mr Adamah pointed out that the accused persons had wrongly stated in their affidavits that the court’s earlier order for filing witness statements was made on May 11, 2026.

He said the order was actually made on July 11, 2024.

The prosecution also reminded the court that the accused persons had already been told at the last sitting that the order to file their disclosures remained active and that nothing prevented them from filing before the hearing of the applications.

Mr Adamah therefore urged the court to grant only a short extension, especially considering the history of the case.

After hearing the parties, Justice Kwadam granted the applications and directed all three accused persons to file their proposed evidence by July 6.

The court said the filings were necessary for a Case Management Conference to be held.

The matter was adjourned to July 6, 2026, for that purpose.

The court also fixed further hearing dates for the trial to continue on July 13, 17, 23, 28 and 29, 2026.

The prosecution’s case is that NAM1 operated Menzgold as an unlicensed deposit-taking business under the cover of gold trading.

According to the State, Menzgold was first registered as Menzbank Ghana Company Limited in 2013, while Brew Marketing Consult Limited was registered in December 2016.

Prosecutors say NAM1 was the Chief Executive Officer and majority shareholder of both companies.

The State alleges that after the Bank of Ghana issued a notice in 2015 that Menzbank was operating without a licence, NAM1 changed the company’s name, first to Menzbanc and later to Menzgold Ghana Company Limited.

The prosecution further alleges that Brew Marketing Consult was used to sell gold and gold collectibles to the public, while Menzgold received the deposits and promised returns.

It says the companies invited members of the public to deposit purchased gold and gold collectibles with Menzgold for returns of between 7% and 10%.

More than 16,000 customers are said to have deposited funds with the companies.

The State alleges that the accused persons collected about GH¢1.68 billion from customers under false pretences, much of which has not been recovered.

Prosecutors also claim that some depositor funds were transferred to Zylofon Media, a company linked to NAM1, while other sums were allegedly withdrawn or transferred for his personal use.

The case continues on July 6.