Kenneth Ashigbey Denies Influencing Wontumi Case, Condemns False Claims

In a press release issued on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, Ashigbey described as “completely false” reports claiming that his relationship with the trial judge influenced the court’s decision and that he had allegedly stated he was confident Wontumi would be jailed because the judge was his sister-in-law.

Ashigbey categorically rejected the claims, insisting he never made such a statement.

“I have never said, anywhere, at any time, that I was confident Wontumi will go to jail because the judge is my sister-in-law. That quote is a fabrication,” he stated.

He further clarified that the July 20, 2026 judgment in Republic v. Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Wontumi), Kwame Antwi (At Large), and Akonta Mining Company Limited is entirely separate from a petition he filed together with Martin Kpebu, Edem Senanu, and Kwame Asiedu.

According to Ashigbey, their petition remains pending before a different court and has not yet been heard on its merits. He described attempts to connect the two cases as “deliberate mischief” aimed at misleading the public.

He also dismissed suggestions of a conflict of interest, stressing that he was not a party to the case that resulted in Wontumi’s conviction and therefore had no direct interest in its outcome.

“There could not have been any conflict-of-interest situation as is being alleged,” he stated, urging the public to refrain from dragging judges and their family relationships into public propaganda.

Ashigbey warned that such allegations undermine public confidence in Ghana’s justice system and called on citizens to allow the judiciary to perform its constitutional duties without interference.

Reaffirming his long-standing position on illegal mining, Ashigbey said his advocacy has remained unchanged since 2017. He maintained that individuals who organise, finance and benefit from illegal mining activities—the “kingpins”—should face the maximum punishment permitted under the law.

“For the past eight years, I have maintained the principled view that those who organise, finance and benefit (‘kingpins’) from illegal mining activities should be subject to the maximum sentence prescribed by law. I stand by that position without reservation,” he said.

He concluded by urging the public to disregard the false reports and instead focus on the substantive issues surrounding the fight against illegal mining and the rule of law.

110 Response – I was confident Wontumi will go to_260721_190440