Chairman Wontumi (in brown shirt) outside the court building with his lawyer
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, arrived in court with his lawyer, Andy Kwame Appiah-Kubi, moments after the Accra High Court issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
In a video shared by 1957 News and seen by GhanaWeb on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, Chairman Wontumi, appearing in high spirits and in a calm demeanor, was seen entering the court building.
He was also accompanied by Kwaku Osei Korankye Asiedu, popularly known as KOKA.
BREAKING: High Court issues bench warrant for Wontumi’s arrest for failing to appear in court
The warrant was issued against Wontumi for reportedly failing to appear in court without the appropriate permission.
He is facing criminal charges related to illegal mining, otherwise known as galamsey, in the Western Region.
At an earlier sitting on October 7, 2025, Wontumi was granted bail in the sum of GH¢15 million with three sureties by the High Court in Accra.
Two of the sureties were to be justified with landed properties within the court’s jurisdiction, while the court has also directed Wontumi to deposit his passport with the registrar.
His name was to be placed on a stop list at all entry points to prevent him from leaving the country.
The sureties were further required to submit copies of their Ghana Cards and digital addresses to the court registrar.
Presiding Judge Justice Audrey Kocuvi-Tay ordered that Wontumi report to the investigator on the first and third Monday of every month.
Chairman Wontumi, together with Akonta Mining Company Limited, pleaded not guilty to charges related to illegal mining, otherwise known as galamsey, in the Western Region.
My client will be dutiful and cooperative – Andy Appiah-Kubi on Akonta Mining probe
The charges stem from alleged unauthorised mining operations at Samreboi in the Western Region, invoking key provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended by the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 995).
According to the charge sheet, Wontumi and the other accused persons face three counts of assigning mineral rights without the necessary approval and three counts of facilitating an unlicensed mining operation.
Watch the video below:
MAG/AE
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