An Accra Gogh Court has granted bail to the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, in the sum of GHC15 million with three sureties, following a hearing on Tuesday, October 7, 2025.
According to the court, two of the sureties must be justified with landed property within the court’s jurisdiction.
The court presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, granted the politician and owner of Akonta Mining bail.
This was after hearing arguments from Wontumi’s lawyer, Andy Appiah-Kubi, and the Deputy Attorney General, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai.
Chairman Wontumi has pleaded not guilty to charges of facilitating unlicensed mining and assigning mineral rights without ministerial approval.
His lead counsel, Andy Appiah-Kubi, prayed the court to grant bail, insisting that his client posed no flight risk and would cooperate fully with investigations.
However, Deputy Attorney General, Dr. Srem-Sai, while not opposing bail, asked the court to impose stringent conditions given the gravity of the charges and the accused’s financial capacity.
“Gold mining is a capital-intensive business, and by their own admission, the accused is a man of substance. It is common knowledge that persons of substance are often greater flight risks,” Dr. Srem-Sai told the court.
He further alleged that Chairman Wontumi had been uncooperative during investigations.
He added that the accused also failed to provide any details on the second accused, Kwame Antwi, who remains at large.
Additionally the court gave the prosecution three weeks to file disclosures. The next hearing is scheduled for October 28, 2025.
Justice Kocuvie-Tay imposed the following conditions:
- A GHC 15 million bail bond.
- Three sureties, two of whom must justify with landed property within the court’s jurisdiction.
- Deposit of all passports with the court registrar.
- Placement on the immigration stop list at all entry and exit points.
- Sureties must submit copies of their Ghana Cards and digital addresses.
- Wontumi must report to investigators on the first and third Monday of every month.
- Investigators must submit monthly compliance reports directly to the judge.
By: Rainbowradooonline.com/Ghana
