The Criminal Court 4 Division of the High Court in Accra has found the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, guilty in a case involving alleged illegal mining activities on the concession of Akonta Mining Company Limited at Samreboi in the Western Region.
The judgment was delivered in the case involving Chairman Wontumi, Akonta Mining Company Limited and another accused person, Mr Kwame Antwi.
Before delivering the judgment, the court dismissed an application by lawyers for Chairman Wontumi seeking to defer the ruling and refer aspects of the case to the Supreme Court for constitutional interpretation.
Presiding Judge, Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, ruled that the application lacked merit after the defence informed the court that lead counsel, Mr Samuel Atta Akyea, was out of the country and expected to return on July 22.
Holding brief for Mr Atta Akyea, Mr Charles Boakye told the court that the defence had filed an application on July 16 requesting a postponement of the judgment and a constitutional referral, adding that the motion had been scheduled for hearing on Monday.
The court, however, rejected the request and proceeded to deliver its judgment.
The prosecution alleged that Akonta Mining Company Limited engaged in illegal mining activities on its concession at Samreboi and that the company and its officials facilitated unlawful mining operations.
During proceedings on May 21, 2026, Chairman Wontumi denied authorising prosecution witness Henry Okum, identified in court as PW2, to undertake mining activities on the concession.
He maintained that the arrangement with Mr Okum was solely for land reclamation and the establishment of a coconut plantation, and not for mining.
The trial followed Chairman Wontumi’s appearance before the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service on October 6, 2025, after a directive by the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine.
Further details, including the sentence and any consequential orders of the court, are expected.
