Chairman Wontumi Struggling With Bail Again, Spends Night in Jail Over GH¢25 Million Conditions
- Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, has been unable to meet his bail conditions
- The New Patriotic Party politician has been accused of being engaged in illegal mining via his company, Akonta Mining
- Boasiako is facing multiple illegal mining charges across two court cases, for which he has issued a plea
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The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, spent the night in a cell after he was unable to meet the bail conditions following his arrest for allegedly engaging in illegal mining activities.
He was granted bail of GH¢15 million with three sureties in the first case against him and GH¢10 million with two sureties in the second case against him.
Source: Getty Images
Boasiako and his company are accused of engaging in mining operations on his company’s mining concession without obtaining due approval.
A director of Akonta Mining Company Ltd, Kwame Antwi, who has also been charged with two counts of assignment of mineral rights without approval and purposely facilitating an unlicensed mining operation, is currently on the run.
In the second case, Boasiako has been accused of mining in the Tano Nimire Forest Reserve without a licence and purposely facilitating the unauthorised felling of over 300 merchantable trees and unquantifiable saplings in the same forest reserve.
Boasiako pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him.
Chairman Wontumi's lawyer speaks about bail
Following his arrest, Boasiako's lawyer, Andy Appiah Kubi, addressed the media and said they expected to meet his bail conditions shortly.
He said they were working around the clock to secure all the necessary documents and authenticate them with authorities to ensure the release of his client.
Boasiako faced similar bail struggles after his arrest in May by the Economic and Organised Crime Office.
That time, he spent a week in custody until he fulfilled all conditions of his GH¢50 million bail.
Before his arrest, Boasiako appeared at the CID headquarters in Accra on October 6.
High Court bars Wontumi from travelling abroad
The High Court in Accra barred Boasiako from leaving the country.
He will be placed on the immigration stop list at all entry and exit points of Ghana, effectively restricting his travel abroad until the case is concluded. However, he can apply to the court for permission to travel if necessary.
He must also report to the CID investigator twice a month, specifically on the first and third Monday of every month.
Illegal mining claims against Wontumi
YEN.com.gh reported that Akonta Mining has long been linked to illegal mining activities, especially in forest reserves, but Boasiako has denied these claims.
In 2022, the Media Coalition Against Galamsey called for the arrest and prosecution of Boasiako.
It said there was evidence that Akonta Mining violated the Minerals and Mining Act by mining closely along the banks of the Tano River.
The coalition also accused the Akufo-Addo government of not showing a commitment to truly fight illegal mining.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
