The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, has appeared before the Accra High Court in relation to the Tano Nimiri illegal mining case.
Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, was brought to court on a prison bus under the supervision of prison officers, marking his first appearance in the matter since his recent conviction in a separate illegal mining case.
He arrived at the court after spending two nights in custody following a 20-year prison sentence imposed in the Samreboi illegal mining case.
The embattled politician, dressed in a white long-sleeved shirt and black trousers, was escorted into the courtroom through a rear entrance as authorities restricted public access around his arrival.
The Tano Nimiri case is separate from the Samreboi matter and involves allegations of illegal mining activities connected to Akonta Mining Limited.
In the Samreboi case, Wontumi was convicted on six counts under Section 99 of Ghana’s Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019, relating to the unlawful assignment of mineral rights without ministerial approval and facilitating illegal mining operations in a protected forest area.
Akonta Mining Limited, which was also involved in the case, was separately convicted and fined.
Antwi-Boasiako’s appearance comes amid renewed attention on the legal challenges facing the NPP executive following his conviction, with the party indicating plans to explore available legal options.
The High Court is expected to continue hearing the Tano Nimiri case as the prosecution and defence advance their respective arguments.
Source: asaaseradio.com
