No Escape for NAM1: Appeal Court Orders Trial to Proceed
Appeal Court rules that the criminal trial against Menzgold CEO must continue as scheduled, rejecting his bid to pause proceedings
- Court of Appeal dismissed NAM1’s request to halt his ongoing criminal trial
- Judges ruled no exceptional grounds existed to justify delaying the case
- NAM1 must open his defence as he faces charges including fraud and money laundering
The Court of Appeal has thrown out an attempt by Nana Appiah Mensah, popularly known as NAM1 and CEO of the now-defunct Menzgold Ghana Limited, to pause his criminal trial.
NAM1 had filed an application to suspend the ongoing proceedings at the High Court while appealing a ruling that required him to open his defence.
The appeal argued that the High Court’s order was premature, but state prosecutors countered, saying the application was an abuse of the court process and lacked any extraordinary justification.
On May 19, 2025, a panel of three Appeal Court judges—Justice Gbiel Suurbaareh (presiding), Justice Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwe, and Justice Christopher Archer—unanimously dismissed the application, clearing the way for the High Court trial to continue.
NAM1 faces multiple serious charges, including:
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Selling gold without proper licensing
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Defrauding investors by false pretence
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Money laundering
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Breach of trust
Frederick Forson, spokesperson for affected Menzgold customers, welcomed the court’s decision, calling it a positive step toward justice.
Despite the ruling, NAM1 has hinted at a possible appeal to the Supreme Court, pending legal advice.
