Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has filed an application at an Accra High Court seeking bail pending the hearing and determination of his appeal against his conviction and 20-year prison sentence.
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), through his lawyers from Zoe, Akyea and Co., is asking the court to grant him temporary release from custody while the Court of Appeal considers his appeal. The application, filed on August 6, 2026, has been scheduled for hearing on August 19, 2026.
Chairman Wontumi was convicted on July 20, 2026, after being found guilty of assigning mineral concessions belonging to Akonta Mining to a third party without the Minister’s prior approval, contrary to the Minerals and Mining Act.
In addition to the 20-year custodial sentence, the trial judge, Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, imposed a fine of GH¢120,000 on Wontumi and GH¢180,000 on Akonta Mining, bringing the total financial penalty to GH¢300,000.
Dissatisfied with both the conviction and sentence, Wontumi, through his lead counsel Samuel Atta Akyea, has lodged an appeal challenging the judgment.
In the application before the High Court, his lawyers are praying the court to admit him to bail pending the determination of the appeal.
“Take Notice that this Honourable Court will be moved by Counsel for and on behalf of the 1st Appellant/Applicant herein praying the Court for an order that the Applicant, who is currently incarcerated at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison, be admitted to bail pending appeal upon the grounds stated in the accompanying affidavit and for any further orders as this Honourable Court may deem meet,” the application states.
In an affidavit supporting the application, the defence argues that the appeal raises substantial and arguable questions of law and fact with overwhelming prospects of success.
“It is apparent on the face of the record that the whole trial was wrong in law and the appeal raises substantial, serious and arguable questions of law and fact with overwhelming prospects of success. The conviction proceeded upon grave errors of law which substantially affected the outcome of the trial and the appeal discloses several exceptional circumstances warranting the exercise of this Honourable Court’s discretion in favour of the Applicant,” the affidavit stated.
The affidavit further argues that the trial court failed to consider Sections 13 and 46 of Act 703, which the defence says exonerate both Wontumi and Akonta Mining. It also challenges the attribution of criminal liability to Wontumi, arguing that the judgment disregarded the separate legal personality of the company.
The lawyers further state that Wontumi fully complied with all bail conditions during the trial, attended every court sitting, never attempted to abscond and did not interfere with witnesses or obstruct the administration of justice.
“The Applicant is not a flight risk. He is a responsible and law-abiding individual with deep-rooted ties to this jurisdiction, including family, business, professional, and community obligations. He has no intention whatsoever of evading the due process of the law, and he is fully prepared to submit himself to the authority and jurisdiction of this Honourable Court as and when required. Any apprehension suggesting otherwise would be wholly unfounded and devoid of merit,” the affidavit stated.
The defence also argues that Wontumi’s continued incarceration would hinder effective consultation with his legal team in preparing the appeal, adding that he has credible sureties willing to guarantee his attendance in court.
While acknowledging that Wontumi is facing two other criminal trials, the lawyers maintain that granting bail would not prejudice the prosecution but would prevent irreversible harm to the applicant if he remains imprisoned while pursuing what they describe as a meritorious appeal.
By: Ekow Annan/newsalertgh.com
