The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has filed witness statements to open his defence in the ongoing illegal mining-related trial over activities on his Samreboi concession in the Western Region.
Chairman Wontumi is expected to call former Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, George Mireku Duker, as one of his defence witnesses when the case resumes before the High Court on May 14, 2026.
Appearing before the court on Thursday, counsel for Chairman Wontumi, Andy Appiah-Kubi, informed the court that the defence had filed three witness statements in compliance with the court’s directive for the accused persons to open their defence.
The witness statements were filed by Chairman Wontumi himself, former Lands Minister George Mireku Duker, and one Wisdom Edem Gomashie.
According to the defence team, several documents have also been filed in support of the case, including the lease agreement of Akonta Mining Company Limited, correspondence addressed to the Regional Security Council, and investigative cautionary statements.
The court was informed that Mr Gomashie would be the first defence witness to testify when proceedings resume next week.
Charges over Samreboi concession
Chairman Wontumi and his company are facing six charges over allegations that they permitted Henry Okum and Michael Gyedu Ayisi to undertake mining activities on the Akonta Mining concession without obtaining prior approval from the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources.
The prosecution further alleges that the accused facilitated illegal mining activities on the concession.
He has specifically been charged with the assignment of mineral rights without ministerial approval and purposely facilitating unlicensed mining operations, contrary to provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended by the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 995).
Court orders accused to open defence
The High Court in March this year ruled that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against the accused persons and directed them to file witness statements if they intended to mount a defence.
Subsequently, the defence challenged the ruling through a submission of no case application, but the trial court dismissed the request.
Chairman Wontumi’s legal team later proceeded to the Court of Appeal to challenge the High Court’s decision ordering him to open his defence.
The defence also sought a stay of proceedings pending the outcome of the appeal, but that application was dismissed, paving the way for the substantive trial to continue.
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