Court dismisses Chairman Wontumi’s ‘no case’ submission, orders defence
The Criminal Division of the Accra High Court has instructed the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, known as Chairman Wontumi, to present his defence in an ongoing illegal mining case.
Judge Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay issued this order after dismissing a no-case submission filed by Chairman Wontumi and his company, Akonta Mining Company Limited. This ruling requires the accused to now respond to the charges brought by the prosecution.
Chairman Wontumi and Akonta Mining are charged with six counts, allegedly permitting Henry Okum and Michael Gyedu Ayisi to mine on the company’s land without prior approval from the sector minister.
They are also accused of aiding unlicensed mining activities.
The defendants have pleaded not guilty.
After the court’s decision, they have seven days to inform the court how they plan to proceed, either remaining silent and letting the court decide based on the evidence or testifying in person and submitting witness statements for their defence.
