The State has closed its case after leading four witnesses to testify against the NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Boasiako Antwi, popularly referred to as Wontumi.
The NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman has been jointly charged with Akonta Mining Company Limited on a total of four counts relating to the assignment of mineral rights without approval and facilitating unlicensed mining operations.
They have pleaded not guilty and are on bail.
Director of Akonta Mining, Kwame Antwi who is currently at large, is also facing two counts of assignment of mineral rights without approval and purposely facilitating an unlicensed mining operation.
On Wednesday, February 4, 2026, Prosecution’s fourth and final witness, an official from the Minerals Commission, told the court during cross-examination by counsel for Wontumi, that there was no record at the Commission indicating that Wontumi’s company applied for the Land Minister’s approval to assign or transfer mineral rights to any individual.
“Minerals Commission does not have any record of A3 applying for the minister’s approval to assign or otherwise transfer his mineral rights. Again, the Mineral Commission does not have any record of the minister’s approval for A3 to assign or otherwise transfer its mineral rights to any person,” Josef Iroko responded to Andy Appiah Kubi.
Lead counsel for Wontumi, Appiah-Kubi, suggested to the prosecution witness that there was no legal assignment between Akonta Mining and Henry Okum (prosecution’s second witness) to the knowledge of the Minerals Commission and all other agencies of state.
But Mr Iroko responded that “that is restating my witness statement, and it is also stated in this court that in our line of duty we come across persons who are acting in violation of minerals laws and regulations and if indeed someone acts without license or authority, that has been penalised by Act 995.
After the defence lawyers completed their cross-examination, Deputy Attorney General, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, indicated that the prosecution had closed its case.
Andy Appiah Kubi then prayed the court for adequate time to file submission of no case for Chairman Wontumi and Akonta Mining, adding that due to the technicality of the case, four weeks would be prudent.
Presiding judge Audrey Kocuvie-Tay then adjourned the case to February 18 and ordered the defence lawyers to file the submission of no case in fourteen days.
By Laud Adu-Asare
