Accra, May 28, GNA- An Accra High Court has admitted in evidence a defence witness statement filed by Mr Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah, former Western Regional Minister, in the Wontumi Samreboi Illegal Mining case.
The court also admitted in evidence a pen drive attached to his witness statement.
Mr Mensah is the third defence witness of Bernard Antwi Boasiako, aka Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party.
The defence team, led by Mr Andy Appiah-Kubi, earlier led the former Minister in evidence where his witness statements and an attached pen drive was tendered.
The prosecution, led by Nana Ama Prempeh, Senior State Attorney, informed the court that she was served with the witness statement about an hour ago.
The senior state attorney said she had “just sighted” the defence witness statement.
Again, she said the defence witness pen drive played in court had no date and it did not state the place where the video was captured.
The state attorney, therefore, objected to the tendering and admission of the defence witness pen drive in evidence.
The trial judge overruled the prosecution ‘s objection saying the prosecution could cross-examine the defence witness on the said pen drive
The matter has been adjourned to Monday, June 1, 2026 for the former Minister to be cross -examined by the prosecution.
Boasiako, one Kwame Antwi, a director, now at large, and Akonta Mining Company Limited have been arraigned for allegedly engaging in illegal mining at Samreboi and transferring mineral rights without Ministerial approval at the Samreboi concession.
Boasiako is accused of transferring his mining rights to one Henry Okum without approval from the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.
Boasiako has denied the charges, and he is currently on bail.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe
Reporter: Joyce Danso