AG Opposes Wontumi’s Bail Application, Says Appeal Has Little Chance of Success

The Attorney-General has filed processes opposing an application by convicted illegal miner Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, for bail pending the determination of his appeal.

The State argues that Mr Boasiako’s intended appeal has no reasonable prospect of success and therefore does not provide sufficient grounds for his release from custody.

According to the Attorney-General, there are also no special circumstances that would warrant granting the former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) bail while his appeal is pending.

Mr Boasiako’s bail application follows his conviction and sentencing by the Accra High Court over offences linked to illegal mining activities at Samreboi in the Western Region.

On July 20, 2026, Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay sentenced Mr Boasiako to 20 years in prison with hard labour after finding him guilty of offences including assigning mineral rights without the required approval and facilitating unlicensed mining.

The court also imposed a fine on Akonta Mining Company Limited, in which Mr Boasiako is a shareholder and director. It further ordered the confiscation of mining equipment, firearms and cash seized during investigations.

Following his conviction and sentence, Mr Boasiako filed an appeal challenging the High Court’s decision and subsequently applied for bail pending the determination of the appeal.

His lawyers maintain that there are grounds for the appellate court to review the conviction and sentence and have asked the court to release him while the legal process continues.

The Attorney-General, however, has rejected the application, insisting that the proposed appeal does not have a reasonable chance of success.

The State’s latest filing will now be considered by the court as it determines whether Mr Boasiako should be granted bail or remain in custody until his appeal is heard.

The case arose from investigations into alleged illegal mining activities on the Samreboi concession. Mr Boasiako was charged alongside Akonta Mining Company Limited and another accused person in connection with the activities.

Source:myjoyonline