The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, and his legal counsel, Andy Appiah-Kubi, have questioned the Attorney General’s inability to provide documents allegedly linking Chairman Wontumi to illegal mining (galamsey) activities.
Speaking in an exclusive interview, Lawyer Appiah-Kubi revealed that the Attorney General has stated in court that his office does not possess any documents indicating that Chairman Wontumi is involved in galamsey operations.
According to the lawyer, witnesses presented by the prosecution claimed that Chairman Wontumi had allegedly given out his land to some individuals who were using it for illegal mining. Based on that claim, the court sanctioned Bernard Antwi Boasiako.
However, Lawyer Appiah-Kubi argued that such allegations require documentary evidence. He explained that his team has formally requested the court to compel the prosecution to produce any documents that show Chairman Wontumi indeed handed over land for galamsey activities.
He further noted that, under Ghanaian law, no one can transfer land to another person without documentation proving ownership and the terms of transfer.
Appiah-Kubi added that prosecution witnesses also alleged that a bullet, a gun, and some mining equipment were retrieved from land said to belong to Chairman Wontumi. He stated that he asked the Attorney General to provide documents confirming that the land in question was given out either by Chairman Wontumi or by Akonta Mining, and whether the retrieved gun and bullets belonged to the NPP Chairman.
According to the lawyer, the Attorney General responded that his office does not have any such documents—neither to show that Chairman Wontumi gave out land for mining nor to link him to the said gun and ammunition.
Lawyer Appiah-Kubi insists that without these documents, the allegations against his client cannot stand, and the defense team is prepared to contest the claims in court.
Source: wontumionline.com
