Attorney-General Closes Case in Chairman Wontumi Trial

The Attorney-General has closed its case in the ongoing trial of Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, after calling four prosecution witnesses.

The prosecution witnesses included two former workers of Akonta Mining Company Limited at the Samreboi Forest Reserve, a police investigator, and an expert from the Minerals Commission.

Deputy Attorney-General, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, who is leading the prosecution, formally announced the closure of the case before the Criminal Division of the High Court in Accra on Wednesday.

This followed the conclusion of cross-examination of the fourth prosecution witness by defence counsel, Andy Appiah-Kubi.

The case, Republic v Bernard Antwi Boasiako & Another, is being presided over by Her Ladyship Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay.

Cross-examination of Minerals Commission Witness
During cross-examination, the Minerals Commission expert rejected the defence’s assertion that Akonta Mining Company (A3) had never been ready to commence mining at the Samreboi concession.

He told the court that Clause 1G of the mining lease agreement required the company to commence operations within 24 months of the grant of the lease and did not give it unlimited discretion as to when mining could begin.

Defence counsel further questioned the witness about claims by one Henry Okum that Akonta Mining had assigned its interest in the Samreboi concession to him.

The witness confirmed awareness of the claim but stated that records at the Minerals Commission showed no application had been submitted for ministerial approval for any assignment or transfer of mineral rights, as required by law.

He clarified, however, that the absence of such records did not necessarily rule out a purported unlawful assignment, stressing that any assignment made without the necessary approval would amount to a breach punishable under Act 995.

On mining regulations, the witness confirmed familiarity with the Minerals and Mining (Health, Safety and Technical) Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2182) and the Minerals and Mining (Support Services) Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2174).

He explained that licensed mines support service providers are permitted to undertake activities such as contract mining and reclamation, and that unlawful mining operations or unlicensed support services have been criminalised under Act 995.

The defence suggested that Act 995 did not provide specific sanctions for breaches of L.I. 2174 and L.I. 2182, a position the witness strongly disagreed with, referring to the offences and penalties provisions under the Act.

Throughout the cross-examination, the witness maintained that his testimony was based solely on official records at the Minerals Commission and not on personal observation.

He admitted he had no personal knowledge of Chairman Wontumi (A1) entering the concession or personally engaging in mining activities.

Prosecution Closes Case

Following the exchanges, Deputy Attorney-General Dr Srem-Sai informed the court:
“My Lord, we’ve closed our case.”

Defence Seeks Time to File ‘No Case’ Submission
In response, defence counsel Andy Appiah-Kubi applied for time to prepare and file a submission of no case to answer on behalf of Chairman Wontumi (A1) and Akonta Mining Company (A3), describing the matter as highly technical.

He requested four weeks to adequately marshal materials for the court’s consideration.

Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay noted that it is well established in criminal jurisprudence that an accused person has the right to file a submission of no case to answer at the close of the prosecution’s case.

While emphasising effective case management, the court granted the defence two weeks—14 days—to file the submission.

The case has been adjourned to February 18, 2026, for further proceedings.

 

 

For more news, join The Chronicle Newspaper channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBSs55E50UqNPvSOm2z

The post Attorney-General Closes Case in Chairman Wontumi Trial appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.

Read Full Story