The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has announced that it will appeal the conviction and 20-year prison sentence handed to its Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
Addressing a press conference after an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting convened in response to the judgment in the Akonta Mining illegal mining case, the party's General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, said the NPP had instructed its legal team to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.
The Party stands firmly with him. Our legal team has already commenced the necessary steps to challenge this judgment through the appellate process. The NPP considers Wontumi a POLITICAL PRISONER,” Kodua said.
He argued that the conviction was not supported by the evidence presented during the trial and accused the government of pursuing selective justice.
He also questioned the status of investigations into alleged illegal mining activities involving some members of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).
To the party, the current government is delivering selective justice and must not be condoned.
“What has become of the petition submitted to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) seeking an investigation into allegations concerning Mr. Joseph Yamin the NDC National Organiser and Abanga Yakubu Vice Chairman of the NDC?
What has happened to Hon. Mohammed Yakubu NDC MP for Ahafo Ano South and his DCE who were sacked from a Chief’s Palace after they alleged that he was heavily involved in Galamsey in their traditional area. What happened to the NDC MP for Aowin Hon. Oscar Ofori Larbi who was accused by the chiefs and people of Aowin as well as Ghana Coalition against Galamasey for engaging in Galamsey? Why has the nation not witnessed the same level of urgency and determination in those matters? Justice cannot be selective,” the party told the press at a briefing.
The High Court earlier on Monday sentenced Chairman Wontumi to 20 years' imprisonment after finding him guilty in a case relating to illegal mining activities at Samreboi.