The High Court in Accra has ordered Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, to open his defence in a case involving alleged illegal mining.
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is standing trial with his company, Akonta Mining Limited. They face charges related to mining activities at Samreboi in the Western Region without the required ministerial approval.
Presiding over the court, Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, ruled on Monday that a prima facie case has been established against the accused persons. This ruling follows a submission of “no case to answer” filed by the defence lawyers, who had argued that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence.
Lawyers for Chairman Wontumi had urged the court to acquit and discharge their client under Section 173 of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act. However, the prosecution, led by Deputy Attorney-General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, prayed the court to dismiss that application, stating that credible evidence had been presented.
The court heard four prosecution witnesses during the trial, including a small-scale miner who claimed to have had a verbal agreement with Mr. Antwi-Boasiako to work on the concession. A third accused person, Kwame Antwi, a director of the firm, remains at large. With the court’s ruling, the defense is now required to present its case.
