By Joyce Danso, GNA
Accra, Feb. 5, GNA – The state has closed its case in the trial involving Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and two others.
Chairman Wontumi and the two others, including his firm, Akonta Minining, are before an Accra High Court for allegedly assigning concession at Samreboi in the Western Region, to one Henry Okum, without approval from the Minister of Land and Natural Resources.
Closure of the prosecution’s case came after it had called four witnesses to make their statements.
Michael Gyedu Ayisi, a miner, was the first to mount the dock to testify and be cross-examined.
Henry Okum, a small-scale miner and second witness, testified and was also cross-examined.
The third on the state list was Detective Chief Inspector Kwasi Sarfo Asiedu, a Police officer, and Joeph Iroko of the Mineral’s Commission, was the final witness.
Chairman Wontumi’s legal team, led by Mr Andy Appiah Kubi, said his client would like to file a submission of no case following the closure of prosecution’s case.
The court, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie -Tay, therefore directed Wontumi’s lawyer to file its submission of no case within 14 days.
If the accused lawyer is able to file the submission of no case, the court is expected to hear it and fixe a date to rule on it.
Chairman Wontumi, his firm, Akonta Mining Limited, and one Kwame Antwi, currently at large, have been arraigned for allegedly undertaking mining operations without approval from the Minister of Lands and Natural Resource.
The accused persons have been charged with two counts of facilitating an unlicensed mining operation in a forest at Samreboi.
While Chairman Wontumi had denied the charges, his accomplice Kwame Antwi is still at large.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe