By Joyce Danso, GNA
Accra, Oct. 7, GNA- Bernard Antwi Boasiako aka Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party(NPP) woes deepened when he was arraigned again on fresh mining related charges.
He has earlier appeared before an Accra High Court (Criminal Court four) on engaging in mining related charges and he was admitted to bail in the sum of GHC15 million and placed on Stop List.
Few hours later, Boasiako was arraigned again together with his firm known as Akonta Mining Company Limited and three others.
The three are Edward Akuoko, a shareholder, Kwadwo Owusu Bempah, a shareholder and operations manager.
The third accomplice, whose name was given as Kwame Antwi, another shareholder, is said to be at large.
Boasiako and Akonta Mining (an Entity) Akuoku , Antwi and Bempah aka Sly have been variously charged with the following offences:
Undertaking mining operations without license, abetting to unauthorised felling of 300 merchantable trees in a forest reserve, erecting building in a forest reserve without written authority from competent Forestry Commission.
They have been accused of engaging mining operations in Nimire Forest Reserve at Samreboi in the year 2022.
Boasiako and Akuoku who were present in court have pleaded not guilty.
The court presided over by Justice Ruby Aryeetey has admitted Boasiako and Akuoku to bail in the sum of GHC10 million with three sureties each.
One of the sureties should be justified and accused persons were ordered by the court to deposit their travelling documents with the Registrar of the court within one week.
According to the court, they would need the authority or permission of the court to travel.
Additionally, they are to report to the Police twice a month.
Defence team led by Mr Andy Appiah-Kubi told journalists after the court session that his clients were unable to complete the execution of the second bail extended to them by the court and they would continue with the process tomorrow.
Earlier on, Mr Appiah-Kubi prayed for bail for Boasiako and Akuoku, saying they were not flight risk, they had known fixed place of abode and had responsible family members to stand as sureties for them.
According him, his clients are well known and they had cooperated with the Police and honoured police invitations.
Again, his client had wives and children and there was no way they was going to repeat the offence when granted bail.
Dr Justice Srem-Sai, deputy Attorney General did not opposed to bail but informed the court that conditions of the bail should be such that it would compel accused persons to appear in court always.
The matter has been adjourned to November 4, 2025 and prosecution has been given one month to file their disclosures.
GNA
7 Oct. 2025
Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong