Follow-up: High Court dismisses NPP chairman’s no-case submission, defence stage set to begin
An Accra High Court has dismissed a no-case submission filed by New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, ordering him and his co-accused to open their defence in an ongoing illegal mining trial.
Justice Audrey Kokuvie Tay delivered the ruling on March 16, 2026, finding that the prosecution had successfully established a prima facie case against Mr Boasiako, his company Akonta Mining Limited, and co-accused Kwame Antwi, who remains at large.
Deputy Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Dr Justice Srem-Sai, who has led the prosecution, described the ruling as a clear reflection of the strength of the evidence presented. “If Chairman Wontumi fails to give a sensible explanation to the accusations, he will be convicted,” he said.
The accused persons are standing trial on allegations that they conducted and facilitated mining operations on a concession at Samreboi in the Western Region without the required consent of the sector minister, and that they permitted two individuals to carry out mining activities on the concession without lawful authority.
The prosecution had argued that Mr Boasiako admitted in both his investigation caution statement and his charge statement that he allowed a prosecution witness access to the Samreboi concession, and that the evidence showed he financially aligned himself with the alleged unlawful operations, granted operational access, and provided logistical support without the required approvals.
The defence had filed a 43-page no-case submission in February 2026, arguing that the evidence was insufficient to require a response and that the prosecution had failed to establish the essential elements of the charges against its client. The court rejected that position and agreed with the state that the record contained sufficient evidence to require Chairman Wontumi and his co-accused to respond.
The trial will now move to the defence stage, where the accused will have the opportunity to call their own witnesses and present evidence. No date for the commencement of the defence case had been announced as of Tuesday.
NewsGhana earlier reported that a verdict on the no-case submission had been anticipated for March 10 before the matter was adjourned to March 16.