Wontumi ordered to open defence as high court dismisses ‘No case’ submission in mining trial

The Criminal Division of the Accra High Court has dismissed a submission of “no case” filed by the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, ordering him and his company to open their defence in an ongoing illegal mining case.

The ruling, delivered by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay on Monday, paves the way for the trial to proceed. The court found that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to require the accused persons to answer to the charges levelled against them.

Chairman Wontumi and his company, Akonta Mining Company Limited, are facing six counts related to illegal mining. They are accused of permitting two individuals, Henry Okum and Michael Gyedu Ayisi, to undertake mining activities on the company’s concession without obtaining the legally required prior approval from the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources. The accused are also charged with facilitating unlicensed mining operations.

Both Chairman Wontumi and the company have pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Following the dismissal of their submission, which sought to have the case thrown out, the court has given the defence team seven days to indicate how it intends to proceed. The accused must inform the court whether Chairman Wontumi will testify in his own defence and file witness statements for any other persons he intends to call, or whether they will remain silent and allow the court to make a determination based solely on the evidence presented by the prosecution thus far.

The case is part of a broader judicial crackdown on illegal mining activities, known locally as ‘galamsey’, and highlights the legal scrutiny facing public figures and corporations in the mining sector.