New Patriotic Social gathering (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernardo Antwi Boasiako, popularly referred to as Wontumi Chairman, has filed a witness assertion to start his protection within the ongoing unlawful mining case over his actions within the Samleboi concession within the Western Area.
Chairman Wontumi plans to name former Deputy Minister of Land and Pure Sources George Mirek Duker as one of many protection witnesses when the case resumes within the Excessive Court docket on Might 14, 2026.
Protection technique takes form
Showing in court docket in the present day, Speaker Wontumi’s lawyer, Andy Appiah-Kubi, knowledgeable the court docket that the protection had submitted three witness statements following the court docket’s directions for the accused to mount a defence.
Witness statements have been submitted by Chairman Wontumi himself, former Minister of Lands George Mirek Duker, and one witness, Edem Gomashie.
The protection crew mentioned a number of paperwork have been additionally submitted in help of the case, together with the Akonta Mining Firm’s lease settlement, correspondence to the Regional Safety Council, and an investigative warning letter.
The court docket was knowledgeable that Mr Gomasi would be the first protection witness when the trial resumes subsequent week.
Accusations concerning Samreboi pursuits
Chairman Wontumi and his firm are going through six prices for allegedly permitting Henry Okumu and Michael Gedu Aisi to hold out mining actions on the Akonta mining concession with out acquiring prior approval from the Minister of Lands and Pure Sources.
Prosecutors additional allege that the defendants facilitated unlawful mining actions on the concession.
He’s particularly charged with transferring mineral rights with out ministerial approval and deliberately facilitating unauthorized mining, opposite to the provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act 2006 (Act 703), as amended by the Minerals and Mining (Modification) Act 2019 (Act 995).
court docket orders defendant to start protection
The Excessive Court docket dominated in March that the prosecution had established a prima facie case towards the defendants and directed them to submit witness statements in the event that they meant to mount a protection.
Thereafter, the protection filed an objection to the judgment with out submitting a case software, however the trial court docket rejected the request.
Chairman Wontumi’s authorized crew then went to the Court docket of Enchantment to problem the Excessive Court docket’s determination to open the case.
The protection additionally sought a keep of proceedings pending the end result of the enchantment, however that software was denied, paving the way in which for the substantive trial to proceed.
