By Ashiadey Dotse
The High Court has granted lawyers for Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, until May 28, 2026 to submit any additional witnesses in his ongoing illegal mining trial.
The court’s directive came after Chairman Wontumi completed his testimony on Friday, May 22, in a case involving allegations that he unlawfully allowed mining activities to take place on his concession at Samreboi.
Presiding judge, Audrey Cocuvie-Tay, cautioned that if no additional witnesses are presented by the deadline, the defence case will be closed. The matter would then proceed to final arguments before judgment is delivered.
Chairman Wontumi and his company are facing charges over claims that he permitted one Henry Okum to carry out mining operations on the concession without the required authorisation.
According to prosecutors, Okum conducted mining activities on the land and later used proceeds from the operations to reclaim damaged sections of the concession.
In an earlier ruling, the court held that the prosecution had established a prima facie case, indicating that available evidence connected Chairman Wontumi to the alleged activities carried out by Okum. The court also stated that there was no evidence showing payment for reclamation work, which prosecutors argue may suggest mining rights had effectively been granted.
However, the defence rejected that interpretation, maintaining that under Ghana’s Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) and L.I. 2176, a lease holder is allowed to engage service providers without transferring mineral rights.
The case has been adjourned to May 28 for further proceedings and compliance with the court’s directive.
