The High Court in Accra has adjourned to March 16, 2026, to deliver a ruling on whether Bernard Antwi Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, and his company should be called upon to open their defence in an illegal mining case.
Mr. Boasiako and his company, Akonta Mining Company Ltd, are facing trial for allegedly allowing two individuals, Henry Okum and Michael Gyedu Ayisi, to conduct mining activities on the company’s concession without the required ministerial approval.
The accused persons are facing six charges brought by the Attorney-General, including permitting unlicensed mining and facilitating mining operations without authorisation.
The prosecution has closed its case after calling four witnesses to testify.
Defence Seeks Acquittal
Following the conclusion of the prosecution’s case, lawyers for Mr. Boasiako and Akonta Mining have filed a submission of no case to answer, urging the court to acquit and discharge their clients.
Counsel for the accused argued that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient credible evidence to establish a prima facie case, which would require the defendants to mount a defence.
In their submission, the defence team contended that the evidence presented was fundamentally deficient. “The prosecution’s case suffers from fundamental and fatal deficiencies, both in terms of the absence of evidence on essential elements and in terms of the quality and reliability of the evidence adduced,” the lawyers submitted.
They further argued that the prosecution had not been able to prove the essential elements of the six counts against the accused persons.
The trial judge is now expected to rule on March 16 on whether a prima facie case has been successfully established, which would compel the accused persons to open their defence.
