Legal Showdown Looms: Northern Ashanti Mines Sues Gov’t Over Revoked Mining Leases, Warns NAIMOS Against Interference With CCTV Evidence
Northern Ashanti Mines Limited Company (NAMLC) has issued a stern legal warning to the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), accusing the state agency of attempting to tamper with security infrastructure to conceal alleged illegal activities.
In a letter dated October 31, 2026, Vint & Aletheia, lawyers for NAMLC, allege that NAIMOS officials are attempting to access the server room at the company’s Konongo site to disconnect or switch off CCTV cameras.
The lawyers claim the purpose of this intended disconnection is “obvious: to conceal evidence of illegal activities to be perpetrated by NAIMOS, its officers, agents, servants and assigns.”
Brewing conflict
The letter outlines a brewing conflict over the mining concession. According to the legal document, on October 22, officers of NAIMOS allegedly invaded the lawfully acquired mines of NAMLC and gave the company 12 hours to vacate the premises. The lawyers state that illegal mining activities have been in full swing at the concessions since the takeover.
Chinese
Furthermore, the legal counsel asserts that immediately following the invasion, CCTV footage at the site revealed the presence of Chinese citizens introduced by NAIMOS and Minerals Commission officials, including the Ashanti Regional Director.
“Recorded conversations showed a criminal and illicit attempt by the Minerals Commission to hand over our Client’s lawfully acquired concession to the said Chinese citizens,” the letter states, noting that this evidence has already been broadcast on national television.
The law firm argues that neither NAIMOS nor any state agency has the right to interfere with the CCTV cameras installed by NAMLC. They have threatened to take “any legal action necessary” against the State and NAIMOS officers if the equipment is tampered with.
Legal challenge
The letter also highlighted that NAMLC has already commenced legal proceedings challenging the purported revocation of its mining leases and the unlawful takeover of its concessions.
An application for an interlocutory injunction against the Minerals Commission and the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources is currently pending before the court.
Citing Articles 23 and 296 of the 1992 Constitution, NAMLC’s lawyers argue that administrative bodies must act fairly and reasonably. They are urging NAIMOS to refrain from accessing the server room, disconnecting the cameras, or interfering with the server infrastructure at the Konongo site pending the court’s determination of the application.
