General News
Bawumia Visits Chairman Wontumi in Prison, Vows Legal Fight Against Conviction
New Patriotic Party (NPP) 2028 presidential candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has visited the party’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison following his conviction in the Akonta Mining illegal mining case.
The visit, which took place on Wednesday, came two days after the High Court in Accra sentenced Chairman Wontumi to 20 years in prison on two counts, with the sentences to run concurrently.
The NPP said Dr Bawumia’s visit was aimed at offering support and solidarity to the Ashanti Regional Chairman, while describing the court’s decision as unfair and politically motivated.
According to the party, Dr Bawumia, in his capacity as the NPP’s leader and flagbearer, considered it necessary to personally check on Wontumi’s welfare and assure him of the party’s backing.
During the meeting, Dr Bawumia is said to have assessed Chairman Wontumi’s condition and assured him that the party would explore all available legal options to challenge the conviction.
The NPP flagbearer has also reportedly engaged the party’s legal team to support lead counsel Samuel Atta Akyea in preparing an appeal against the High Court’s ruling.
Samuel Atta Akyea, who was expected to return to Ghana on Wednesday night, is expected to file the appeal in the coming days.
Chairman Wontumi was convicted on Monday, July 20, and sentenced to 20 years imprisonment on each of the two counts. The court also imposed a fine of 10,000 penalty units on each count.
Akonta Mining Limited, which was tried alongside Wontumi, was also found guilty on two counts and fined 15,000 penalty units.
Before delivering the judgment, the High Court dismissed an application by the defence seeking to refer constitutional matters raised during the trial to the Supreme Court for interpretation.
Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay ruled that the application lacked merit and proceeded with the judgment.
Following the ruling, lead counsel Samuel Atta Akyea criticised the court’s decision, insisting that the constitutional issues should have been referred to the Supreme Court. He later confirmed that the defence would appeal the conviction.
