Ashanti Regional Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has been released from police custody after satisfying his bail conditions amounting to GH₵25 million.
The controversial politician, who had spent five days in detention, appeared before the Accra High Court on Friday, October 10, 2025, to process his bail.
Wontumi is the first accused person in an alleged ongoing illegal mining case linked to Akonta Mining Company Limited. He faces multiple charges, including facilitating unlicensed mining operations and assigning mineral rights without ministerial approval. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
In the first ruling, Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay granted him bail in the sum of GH₵15 million with three sureties, two of whom must justify with landed property within the court’s jurisdiction.
In a separate ruling, Justice Ruby Aryeetey granted Wontumi and another accused person, Edward Akuoko, the Operations Manager of Akonta Mining, GH₵10 million bail each with two sureties, one of whom must justify with property.
Source: wontumionline.com