Accra: The state has closed its case in the trial involving Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and two others. Chairman Wontumi and the two others, including his firm, Akonta Mining, are before an Accra High Court for allegedly assigning a concession at Samreboi in the Western Region to one Henry Okum, without approval from the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.
According to Ghana News Agency, the closure of the prosecution's case came after it had called four witnesses to testify. Michael Gyedu Ayisi, a miner, was the first to mount the dock to testify and be cross-examined. Henry Okum, a small-scale miner and second witness, also testified and was cross-examined. The third on the state's list was Detective Chief Inspector Kwasi Sarfo Asiedu, a police officer, and Joseph Iroko of the Minerals Commission was the final witness.
Chairman Wontumi's legal team, led by Mr. Andy Appiah Kubi, stated that their client would like to file a submission of no case following the closure of the prosecution's case. The court, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, has directed Wontumi's lawyer to file the submission of no case within 14 days. If the accused's lawyer is able to file the submission, the court is expected to hear it and fix a date to rule on it.
Chairman Wontumi, his firm, Akonta Mining Limited, and one Kwame Antwi, who is currently at large, have been arraigned for allegedly undertaking mining operations without approval from the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources. The accused persons have been charged with two counts of facilitating an unlicensed mining operation in a forest at Samreboi. While Chairman Wontumi has denied the charges, his accomplice Kwame Antwi remains at large.