The High Court in Accra, presided over by Justice Ruby Aryeetey, has granted bail to the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Wontumi, and Edward Akuoko, the Operations Manager of Akonta Mining Company Limited, in connection with an alleged illegal mining operation in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.
Both men, who are among the five accused persons and entities, were granted bail in the sum of GHC10 million each with two sureties, one of whom must justify the bail with landed property.
As part of the bail conditions, the accused are to submit their passports to the court registrar and report to the investigator every two weeks until further notice.
At their first court appearance, Chairman Wontumi and Mr. Akuoko pleaded not guilty to all charges.
They are standing trial alongside Akonta Mining Limited, its co-director Kwame Antwi, and Operations Manager Kwadwo Owusu Bempah, both of whom are currently at large.
The case stems from allegations that Akonta Mining Limited carried out illegal mining activities within the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve in 2022 without authorisation from the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.
The charges also include the alleged felling of over 300 merchantable trees, construction of unauthorised structures, and aiding unlicensed mining operations.
Chairman Wontumi, a director of Akonta Mining, entered his plea on behalf of both himself and the company. Investigators say efforts are underway to locate the two missing co-accused as proceedings continue.
Source: Adomonline
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