Accra, March 11, — An Accra High Court will on March 16, 2026, rule on a submission of no case filed by Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, in an alleged illegal mining case.
Mr Boasiako, the New Patriotic Party Ashanti Regional Chairman, is accused of undertaking mining activities on a concession at Samreboi without the consent of the sector minister.
The court, presided over by Audrey Kokuvie Tay, fixed the date after the defence filed a submission of no case and the prosecution responded.
Defence challenges prosecution evidence
Lawyers for Mr Boasiako argued that the prosecution failed to establish a case against their client after calling four witnesses who were subsequently cross-examined.
The defence maintained that the prosecution had “woefully failed” to prove the essential elements of the charges brought against the accused.
Mr Boasiako is standing trial alongside his company Akonta Mining and another accused person, Kwame Antwi, who is currently at large.
They are alleged to have permitted two individuals to conduct mining on the concession without proper authority and to have facilitated the operations.
State urges court to dismiss application
Responding to the submission, the prosecution asked the court to dismiss the defence application, arguing that it had established a prima facie case against the accused persons.
The State contended that evidence presented during the trial showed that Mr Boasiako admitted in both his caution and charge statements that he allowed the second prosecution witness access to the mining concession.
According to the prosecution, the accused did not merely permit statutory breaches but also financially supported the operations and provided logistical assistance without the required approvals.
“Documentary evidence establishes the mineral right and absence of statutory approval,” the prosecution argued, adding that witness testimonies confirmed active mining, machinery deployment and the extraction of gold.
The prosecution team is led by Justice Srem-Sai, Deputy Attorney-General and Minister of Justice.
The State urged the court to dismiss the submission of no case and compel the accused persons to open their defence.
GHBUSS
March 11, 2026
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