Some customers of embattled gold trading firm Menzgold have made an appearance at an Accra Circuit court where the first hearing of the company's CEO, Nana Appiah Mensah, is being held.

NAM1 has been charged with two counts of abetment to defraud by false pretence and two counts of abetment to carry out banking business without a licence, contrary to Section 6 (1) of the Banks and Specialised Deposit-taking Institutions Act, 2016 (Act 930).

Two of his companies — Brew Marketing Consult and Menzgold Ghana Limited — represented by him, have each been charged with defrauding by false pretence, contrary to sections 20 (1) and 13 (1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

Customers of Menzgold have had their monies locked up as a result of the closedown of the company

The customers, who said they have waited too long for their monies have called for the suspension of the criminal charges against NAM1.

Upon NAM1’s appearance at the court, the customers, holding various placards, began to scream “free NAM1, he is our hero”.

Some of the inscriptions on the placards are:

“Form committee for transparency now”, “suspend criminal charges now”, “23 people dead in Menzgold saga”, “no money for fees and medical bills” among others.