Ghana: The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has expressed optimism after closing his defence in the Samreboi trial, with the court setting July 3, 2026, for judgment. In a video sighted by GhanaWeb at the court premises on June 3, 2026, Chairman Wontumi, who appeared in high spirits and was seen smiling, told journalists he felt 'good and happy' when asked about how he felt about the conclusion of the trial proceedings.
According to Ghana Web, the Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Justice Srem-Sai, in a Facebook post on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, stated that the defence concluded its case after calling its final witness. 'The accused persons in the case; The Republic v Bernard Antwi Boasiako and 2 Others, called their fifth and final witness today,' he said. Justice Srem-Sai further noted that the witness completed his testimony and was discharged by the court, marking the end of the trial.
With both the prosecution and defence having closed their cases, attention now shifts to the final judgment scheduled for July 3, 2026. Chairman Wontumi and his company are standing trial over allegations of unlawful mining activities on a concession at Samreboi without the required authorisation. Prosecutors allege that one Henry Okum carried out mining operations on the concession and used proceeds from the activity to undertake reclamation works on degraded portions of the land.
The prosecution further argues that evidence presented during the trial linked Wontumi to the activities. However, the defence has denied the claims, insisting that the arrangement complied with provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act and did not amount to a transfer of mineral rights.