Court quashes Amewu's letter revoking Exton Cubic leases

An Accra High Court has quashed the September 4, 2017 letter written by Lands and Natural Resources Minister John Peter Amewu revoking three mining leases granted to local mining company Exton Cubic

According to the Presiding Judge Justice Kweku Ackaah-Boafo the Minister had no power to declare the leases granted by his predecessor on December 28, 2016 invalid.

He said in making such a decision the judge arrogated to himself the power of an adjudicator.

John Peter Amewu in the said letter claimed that his decision was based on the failure of Exton Cubic to fullfil the requirements for the acquisition of the leases.

Justice Ackaah-Boafo however ruled that the Minister in the said letter failed to clearly state the law that granted him his powers to invalidate a mining lease.

The Judge ruled that the power to invalidate a mining can only be exercised a judicial body.

"The Minister could not by a stroke of a pen declare a lease invalid," the justice emphasized.

He further indicated that the Minister has acted unreasonably in his handling of the matter because he failed to give Exton Cubic a hearing before cancelling the leases.

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