Court Restricts Asutifi North MP From Leaving Greater Accra Over Hwidiem Galamsey Clash
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Asutifi North, Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, has been barred by the court from leaving the Greater Accra Region without prior notification to investigators as part of his bail conditions.
The directive forms part of a set of restrictions imposed on the legislator following his alleged involvement in the Hwidiem galamsey clash, which has attracted national attention.
Mr. Addo appeared before the court on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, where he was granted bail of GH¢150,000.
The court further ordered him to report to investigators once every two weeks until further notice or the commencement of the trial.
He faces provisional charges of assault on a public officer, unlawful damage, and rioting with weapons.
Presiding over the case, the court cautioned the MP against any conduct that could frustrate or interfere with ongoing investigations.
The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Alex Odonkor, told the court that the case had assumed a national dimension and was now under the jurisdiction of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters.
Chief Inspector Odonkor argued that, due to the MP’s position and influence, there was a risk of interference with witnesses or tampering with evidence.
He also cited viral videos on social media purportedly capturing moments from the incident, which investigators are currently analyzing.
Counsel for the MP opposed the prosecution’s request for remand, insisting that Mr. Addo was entitled to the constitutional presumption of innocence.
The defence emphasized that the legislator had a newborn baby and maintained a permanent residence in Accra, assuring the court of his full cooperation with the investigation process.
The court granted bail under strict conditions, emphasizing that the MP must comply fully with the restrictions placed upon him.
Mr. Addo is expected to reappear in court on December 1, 2025, while other suspects, including Zakaria Yakubu and one Alex, remain at large.
The charges against the Asutifi North MP stem from an alleged obstruction of an anti-illegal mining operation carried out by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) near Bronikrom–Hwidiem in the Ahafo Region on Saturday, November 1, 2025.
The operation reportedly escalated into a violent confrontation between local youth and members of the NAIMOS task force.
Mr. Addo has vehemently denied allegations of instigating the attack, explaining that his presence at the scene was to defuse tensions and maintain peace, not to obstruct the government’s anti-galamsey efforts.
The case continues to attract public attention as the nation grapples with the complex fight against illegal mining and its accompanying social and political implications.
