Court Grants GHC15 Million Bail to NPP’s Chairman Wontumi in Illegal Mining Case
The High Court in Accra has granted bail to the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, in the sum of GHC15 million with three sureties, two of whom must justify with landed property within the court’s jurisdiction.
The ruling, delivered by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, followed submissions from Wontumi’s lawyer, Andy Appiah-Kubi, and Deputy Attorney General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai.
Chairman Wontumi, the first accused and owner of Akonta Mining Company Limited, pleaded not guilty to charges of facilitating unlicensed mining and assigning mineral rights without ministerial approval. The charges stem from alleged illegal mining operations in Samreboi, Western Region, in 2024.
Arguments for and Against Bail
Counsel for the accused, Andy Appiah-Kubi, argued that his client was not a flight risk and had demonstrated willingness to cooperate with investigators.
However, Deputy Attorney General Dr. Srem-Sai, while not opposing bail, urged the court to impose stringent conditions due to the seriousness of the charges and the accused’s financial influence.
“Gold mining is a capital-intensive business, and by their own admission, the accused is a man of substance. It is common knowledge that persons of substance are often greater flight risks,” Dr. Srem-Sai said.
He further alleged that Wontumi had been uncooperative during investigations, only reporting himself to the police after the Attorney General’s intervention despite multiple invitations.
The prosecution also expressed concern about the second accused, Kwame Antwi, who remains at large. Dr. Srem-Sai noted that Wontumi had not provided any information about his co-director’s identity or whereabouts.
Bail Conditions
In granting bail, Justice Kocuvie-Tay set the following conditions:
- A GHC15 million bail bond.
- Three sureties, two of whom must justify with landed property within the court’s jurisdiction.
- Deposit of all passports with the court registrar.
- Placement on the immigration stop list at all entry and exit points.
- Sureties must submit copies of their Ghana Cards and digital addresses.
- Wontumi must report to investigators on the first and third Monday of every month.
- Investigators must submit monthly compliance reports directly to the presiding judge.
The court also directed the prosecution to file disclosures within three weeks, with the next hearing scheduled for October 28, 2025.
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