The High Court in Accra has granted bail to the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, to the tune of GH₵15 million.
The bail conditions require three sureties, two of whom must justify with landed property located within the court’s jurisdiction.
The bail was granted on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay after hearing submissions from Wontumi’s counsel, Andy Appiah-Kubi, and the Deputy Attorney General, Justice Srem-Sai.
Wontumi, the first accused and owner of Akonta Mining Company Limited, has pleaded not guilty to charges of facilitating unlicensed mining and assigning mineral rights without ministerial approval.
The charges stem from alleged illegal mining operations in Samreboi in the Western Region in 2024.
Defence counsel Andy Appiah-Kubi urged the court to grant bail, stressing that his client posed no risk of fleeing and was prepared to cooperate fully with the authorities.
However, Deputy Attorney General Dr. Srem-Sai, while not opposing the bail request, urged the court to impose strict conditions given the seriousness of the charges and the accused’s financial means.
“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 argued.
He further claimed that Wontumi had been uncooperative during the investigation and only turned himself in to the police after the Attorney General’s intervention, despite earlier invitations.
The prosecution also expressed concern about the second accused, Kwame Antwi, who remains at large. Dr. Srem-Sai indicated that Wontumi, a co-director of the company, had not provided any details about his partner’s identity or location.
In granting the bail, Justice Kocuvie-Tay outlined the following conditions:
A GHC15 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 are to file monthly compliance reports directly to the presiding judge.
The court also directed the prosecution to file disclosures within three weeks, with the next hearing set for October 28, 2025.
Source : Adomonline
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