Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has welcomed the conviction and 20-year prison sentence handed to Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, describing it as a sign that Ghana’s justice system is working.
Speaking in an interview on TV3, Mr Kpebu said the judgment demonstrated that influential individuals could also be held accountable under the law.
“It is a sound decision without doubt. When the judge was reading the judgment, I felt that Ghana is working,” he said.
Mr Kpebu recalled that he and other concerned individuals had raised issues about Wontumi’s alleged activities as far back as October 2022, but their concerns were not acted upon.
“As far back as October 2022, we wrote a petition to the government against Wontumi, and they failed to do anything about it,” he stated.
He added that Wontumi’s political influence did not shield him from accountability, describing the conviction as a demonstration that no one was above the law.
“He is the governor of Ashanti Region, and today he has been shown his real size,” Mr Kpebu said.
However, he noted that the legal process was not over, as Wontumi still had the right to challenge the ruling through an appeal.
“Now that the decision has been rendered, they can file an appeal, and they can also file for bail pending appeal,” he said.
Mr Kpebu explained that the defence would have to prove that the trial judge made serious legal errors for an appeal to succeed.
“If you can demonstrate that the judge got it very wrong, then that is where he can get relief. But if he doesn’t demonstrate that, he will continue to serve the sentence,” he added.
The Accra High Court sentenced Chairman Wontumi to 20 years’ imprisonment after finding him guilty in the illegal mining case involving Akonta Mining Company Limited’s concession at Samreboi in the Western Region.
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