The Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mesnah, has dared the management of Exton Cubic Mining Company Limited to sue him in court if they feel their rights have been violated.

This follows the company’s threat to sue the government over the seizure of equipment belonging to its subcontractors.

In a petition cited by ClassFMOnline on Friday, August 25, lawyers representing the company said: “In the light of the foregoing, our client has instructed us to serve you notice of its intention to institute legal proceedings against the state as a result of the wrongful interference by state officials with our client’s right to prospect on its concession and also a breach of its right to administrative justice…”

The counsel for the company explained that per the contractual arrangement with Engineers and Planners, the cost per day for the total equipment, consisting of eight trucks, one caterpillar generator and two container offices in police custody is GHS 61, 615.00, and Exton Cubic has incurred a cost of GHS 308, 074.00 so far since the seizure.

They are therefore requesting the release of the equipment “to avoid compounding the present situation”.

But reacting to this in an interview with Chief Jerry Forson, host of Ghana Yensom on Accra 100.5FM on Saturday, Mr Osei Mensah said: “They should take me to court if they want to, they have the right to do so and so they should take me to court. I won’t be the first person and not the last person to go to court.

“I have said I need the document that permitted them to mine in the area. If they are able to produce the documents I will release their equipment, if not I won’t release the equipment.”