The Criminal Division of the Accra High Court has directed Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako to begin presenting his defence after rejecting a submission that sought to have the case dismissed.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Presiding judge Audrey Kocuvie-Tay ruled that there was sufficient basis for the trial to proceed, stating that the charges carry a rebuttable presumption that the accused persons committed the alleged offences.
Chairman Wontumi and his company, Akonta Mining Company Limited, are facing six counts related to illegal mining activities. The charges include allegedly permitting two individuals Henry Okum and Michael Gyedu Ayisi to operate on the company’s concession without the required approval from the sector minister, as well as facilitating unlicensed mining operations. Both the businessman and his firm have denied all allegations.
The court has given the accused seven days to indicate their next step whether they will remain silent and allow the case to be decided based on the prosecution’s evidence or proceed to call witnesses and testify in their defence.
The case has been adjourned to March 26, 2026, with the court expected to provide a detailed ruling to both parties at a later date.
Earlier in the proceedings, the prosecution, led by Deputy Attorney-General Justice Srem-Sai, presented four witnesses before closing its case. In response, the defence filed a submission of no case under Section 173 of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act, 1960 (Act 30), arguing that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case.
Defence counsel Andy Appiah-Kubi contended that allowing individuals to mine on the concession did not amount to a transfer of mineral rights. He further argued that the prosecution’s inability to prove such a transfer was a critical flaw in their case.
On the allegation of facilitating illegal mining, the defence maintained that the presence of unauthorised activities on the concession alone did not prove that their clients actively supported or enabled those operations.
However, the prosecution disagreed, insisting that granting access to mine whether formally documented or not constitutes a transfer of rights. It also argued that the company’s actions went beyond mere inaction, describing them as clear evidence of permitting mining activities on the site.
With the court dismissing the no-case submission, the trial now moves into the defence stage, where Chairman Wontumi and his legal team must respond to the allegations.