The Accra High Court has set Monday, March 16 to decide the fate of NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, aka Chairman Wontumi, regarding allegations that Chairman Wontumi permitted mining on his Samreboi concession without authorisation.
Lawyers of the owner of Akonta Mining Company Ltd filed a submission of no case on February 18, 2026 urging the court to dismiss charges against Wontumi.
In court on Tuesday, March 10, Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem Sai prayed the Accra High Court to dismiss the arguments by lawyers of NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako popularly referred to as Chairman Wontumi in support of determination of submission of no case.
Dr Srem Sai argued that in different instances, prosecution witnesses had proved that the accused person permitted mining on his concession with unauthorisation among other things.
Lead counsel for Chairman Wontumi, Andy Appiah Kubi then prayed for leave of the court to also file additional submissions but was opposed by the Deputy Attorney-General who argued that it was not grounded in law. He explained that Mr Kubi has misconstrued the law, maintaining that the court was not mandated to take submissions from both parties.
Presiding judge, Audrey Kocuvie-Tay noted that arguments from the legal representations merely assisted the court but the decision could be made in their absence.
If the submission of no case is upheld, the NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman will be discharged from offenses.
However, if the court rules that a prima facie has been determined by the prosecution against Chairman Wontumi, he will be ordered to open his defence and answer for the charges.
Wontumi together with his company, Akonta Mining and a director, Kwame Antwi are facing illegal mining charges including assigning mineral rights without approval and purposely facilitating an unlicensed mining operation at Samreboi in the Western Region.
By Laud Adu-Asare
