The Enchi District Court has reversed its earlier ruling that permitted the release of two Liugong excavators and other mining equipment confiscated from illegal miners operating in the Boin Forest Reserve.

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During the April 2, 2025, proceedings, Judge Lawrence Buenor Buer admitted that the court had exceeded its authority when it made the initial decision on March 28.

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He acknowledged the legal misstep, emphasizing that cases related to illegal mining do not fall within the court’s jurisdiction. Consequently, he declared the previous ruling invalid.

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Following this correction, he directed the Enchi Police Command and the Forestry Commission to locate and reclaim the equipment.

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Since the court lacked jurisdiction in the matter, he ruled that the previous order and all associated directives regarding the release of the machines should be nullified.

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He further stipulated that the seized equipment should remain under the custody of the Forestry Commission until a competent court with the proper jurisdiction addresses the case.

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Referencing Supreme Court rulings such as Moshie vs. Begyina (1963) and Attoh Quarshie vs. Okpoti (1973), he pointed out that courts have the authority to rectify their own errors to uphold judicial integrity.

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The case involves six individuals charged with engaging in illegal mining. While four of them remain unaccounted for, two suspects are still being sought.

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