Police in Tamale have arrested a 53-year-old man, Alhaji Abdulai Sayuti, for allegedly possessing and unlawfully selling large quantities of restricted drugs.

The arrest took place on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, around 1:30 p.m., during an intelligence-led operation. Sayuti was apprehended at his over-the-counter chemical shop located near Victory Cinema in the Aboabo area. At the scene, officers discovered 368 blisters of Tramadol (120mg) and 298 blisters of Tramaking (120mg).

Following the arrest, a search at Sayuti’s residence in Fuo, a suburb of Tamale, uncovered a hidden warehouse containing an additional 447 boxes of Tramadol and 11 boxes of Tramaking.

Chief Inspector Alhassan Luckman Neindow, the Northern Regional Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the incident to Graphic Online. He stated that the suspect was arraigned on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, and pleaded guilty to charges related to the possession and sale of restricted drugs. The court remanded Sayuti into prison custody, with his next court appearance set for July 21, 2025.

Chief Inspector Neindow emphasized the police’s commitment to fighting illegal drug distribution and called on the public to support their efforts.

“We encourage the public to volunteer information to help us fight this menace in our communities,” he said.

Lawyers for Evangelist Patricia Asiedua, popularly known as Nana Agradaa, have filed an application for bail pending appeal following her conviction and sentencing earlier this month.

The founder of Heaven Way Champion International Ministry was sentenced on July 3, 2025, to 15 years imprisonment with hard labor after being found guilty on two counts of defrauding by false pretenses. She also received an additional sentence of either paying 25 penalty units or serving 30 days for the offense of charlatanic advertisement. The court ruled that all sentences should run concurrently.

Dissatisfied with both the conviction and the sentence, Agradaa’s legal team, led by Richard Asare Baffour, filed a petition of appeal, citing numerous irregularities during the trial. With the appeal yet to be scheduled, her lawyers submitted a motion on July 9, 2025, requesting bail while the appeal is pending.

In the statement supporting the bail application, her legal team argued that the appeal stands a high chance of success due to what they describe as significant flaws in the trial and bias on the part of the presiding judge, Her Honor Evelyn Asamoah.

“The applicant contends that the trial was unfairly conducted, with the burden of proof effectively shifted onto her rather than the prosecution being required to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt,” the statement read.

The defense highlighted specific concerns, such as the trial judge’s reliance on a comment made by the Master of Ceremonies (MC) in a video presented by the defense, which they say was unfairly used to undermine Agradaa’s testimony. According to the lawyers, the judge failed to properly evaluate the key allegation by complainants—that Agradaa had instructed that the lights be turned off—an accusation she denied.

They also criticized the court’s selective analysis of evidence, particularly regarding the timing and length of lighting issues during the service, arguing that these were crucial details that were either ignored or unfairly interpreted.

Furthermore, the defense argued that the judge did not adequately consider mitigating factors during sentencing, despite referencing Ghana’s Sentencing Guidelines. They believe the judgment lacked a balanced assessment of the plea in mitigation.

Nana Agradaa has pledged to comply fully with all court requirements if granted bail. Her lawyers assured the court that she will not interfere with the legal process and that her sureties are prepared to provide adequate security in support of her release.

The application for bail now awaits the court’s determination as the appeal process unfolds.

The Chairman of the Small Scale Miners Association, Kojo Peprah, has been arrested by the Special Anti-Galamsey Task Force deployed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for obstructing an operation against illegal mining in the Desiri Forest Reserve, Ashanti Region.

Police reports indicate that Mr. Peprah confronted the special team during their mission to flush out illegal miners from the forest reserve, questioning the legitimacy of their operation and demanding explanations.

Following his arrest, Mr. Peprah claimed he had received reports that the task force had entered what he believed to be his legally licensed mining site within the forest reserve.

However, authorities have clarified that small-scale mining licenses do not permit mining within forest reserves, casting doubt on the activities of miners operating in the protected area.

According to the latest data from the Forestry Commission, the Desiri Forest Reserve is currently the only “red spot” among 44 forest reserves recently invaded by illegal miners.

Mr. Peprah has since been handed over to the Nkawie Police Command to assist with ongoing investigations.