The prosecution in the trial of Bernard Antwi Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, has concluded its case in the case in which the defendants are accused of several offenses related to illegal mining. This occurred after the conclusion of the testimony of the fourth and last prosecution witness, a specialist from the Minerals Commission, following his cross-examination by Andy Appiah-Kubi, the attorney for Bernard Antwi Boasiako, sometimes referred to as Chairman Wontumi, the owner of Akonta Mining Company Limited.
During the cross-examination, the witness repeatedly stated that, as far as the defendants were concerned, there was no record of the permission that had been brought up at the trial, adding, “So if there is any other evidence to the contrary. The subject matter is covered by the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 995).” Chairman Wontumi’s company and Henry Okum (a prosecution witness) had no legal connection, according to the counsel Appiah-Kubi, who advised the prosecution witness. This was the case, according to the best knowledge of the Minerals Commission and all other state institutions. This is a restatement of my witness statement, and it also aids this court in that, as part of our line of duty, we encounter individuals who are in violation of the minerals and mining regulations, which have been criminalized by the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019 ACT 995, which has outlawed this form of acting without a license permit or authority.
Following the cross-examination, the defense counsel asked the court for a four-week extension so that they could file a no-case plea. No case was presented. The accused has the right to not present a case under Section 173 of the Criminal and Other Offenses (Procedure) Act, 1960 (Act 30). It gives defendants the chance to convince a judge that the prosecution has not proven a prima facie case that would support them beginning their defense. If the trial court finds merit in the argument that there is no case, the defendants are set free; however, if the court disagrees, the defendants are directed to begin their defense.
In response to the defense’s plea for a four-week extension to file the no case submission, Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay ordered them to do so in two weeks. The trial has been pushed back to February 18, 2026. The chairman, and his business have been accused of permitting two people to conduct mining operations on his company’s mining concession without first obtaining the sector minister’s approval. They are accused of two charges of unlawfully assigning mineral rights and two charges of willfully assisting an illegal mining activity in Samreboi, in the Western Region. Kwame Antwi, a director of Akonta Mining Company Limited, is now at large and charged with intentionally supporting an illegal mining enterprise and two counts of illegally transferring mineral rights. The accused have entered a not guilty plea and have asked for bail.
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