An Accra High Court has dismissed a no-case submission filed by Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, and subsequently ordered the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman to present his defence in an alleged illegal mining case.
Justice Audrey Kokuvie Tay ruled on March 16, 2026, that the prosecution had successfully established a prima facie case against Mr Boasiako, his company Akonta Mining, and Mr Kwame Antwi, currently at large, necessitating them to explain the evidence adduced against them.
The accused persons are standing trial for allegedly undertaking mining operations without the sector minister’s consent on a concession at Samreboi in the Western Region and permitting two individuals to conduct mining activities without authority.
Lawyers for Mr Boasiako had argued that the State failed to establish the essential ingredients of the charges after four prosecution witnesses were cross-examined.
However, the State, led by Deputy Attorney General Dr Justice Srem-Sai, contended that sufficient, credible, and admissible evidence had been presented touching on every essential element of the offences.
“He financially aligned himself with the unlawful operations, granted operational access, and provided logistical support without the required approvals,” the state had submitted.
The court agreed with the prosecution, ruling that there was sufficient evidence to require the accused persons to mount a defence, as Mr Boasiako had admitted to allowing access to the concession and evidence showed he did not merely allow statutory breaches to occur.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana