Bernard Antwi Boasiako, often known as Chairman Wontumi, a convicted illegal mining leader, has applied for bail pending appeal, and the Attorney-General has submitted documentation contesting this request.
The State claims that Mr Boasiako’s appeal has no realistic likelihood of succeeding and as a result, there are insufficient grounds for his release from custody.
Among other things, it said that there are no extraordinary circumstances to admit the same.
After Mr. Boasiako was found guilty and sentenced by the Accra High Court for crimes related to unlawful mining operations in Samreboi, Western Region, the application was submitted.
On July 20, 2026, after finding Mr. Boasiako guilty of offenses such as assigning mineral rights without the required authorization and aiding in illegal mining, Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay sentenced him to 20 years in jail with hard labor.
Additionally, the court fined Akonta Mining Company Limited, of which Mr. Boasiako is a shareholder and director, and mandated the forfeiture of cash, firearms, and mining equipment that were taken during the investigation.
Since then, Mr. Boasiako has challenged the verdict and sentence and is requesting bail while the appeal is being decided.
According to his attorneys, there are reasons that call for appellate scrutiny of the High Court’s ruling.
However, the Attorney General is opposing the bail application, arguing that the intended appeal has no chance of succeeding.
In making its decision about whether Mr Boasiako should stay in detention while his appeal is heard, the court will take into account the State’s most recent filing.
The lawsuit originates from inquiries into illegal mining operations on the Samreboi concession, which led to Mr. Boasiako being charged along with another suspect and Akonta Mining Company Limited.
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