Court to deliver judgement in Wontumi-Samreboi Illegal mining case July 3

Accra, June 3, GNA – An Accra High Court will on July 3 determine the fate of Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, who is standing trial for facilitating illegal mining on a Samreboi concession.  

” I will adjourn this matter for Judgement on July 3.  Parties may file addresses by June 17, 2026, if they wish to do so, ” Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay said. 

The court fixed the date for Judgement after the fourth defence witness, Evans Addai, an Assembly Member in the Samreboi area, had testified and undergone cross -examination by Dr Justice Srem-Sai, the Deputy Attorney General.  

The prosecution, led by the Deputy Attorney General, had called four witnesses while Boasiako called four defence witnesses. 

Boasiako was first arraigned on October 7, 2025, for allegedly facilitating unlicensed mining operations and transferring mineral rights without ministerial approval at the Samreboi concession.  

He is alleged to have transferred his mining rights to one Henry without authorisation from the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.  

Boasiako and his firm, Akonta Mining Company Limited, is standing trial together with one Kwame Antwi, a director who is currently at large. 

Earlier, Evans Addai, the Assembly Member of Samreboi area, tendered his defence witness and video evidence of illegal mining on the Samreboi concession. He has denied the charges. 

Mr Addai ‘s witness statement and video on illegal mining on the Samreboi concession  were admitted in evidence. 

He told the court that he knew Mr Michael Ayisi Gyedu, the first prosecution witness, who was described as “popular miner.” 

The witness said Mr Gyedu mined on different places on the Samreboi concession, adding that illegal mining was still ongoing at the concession.  

Mr Addai said he had never seen Boasiako on the Samreboi concession and had never seen him mining on the said concession.  

He denied knowing Henry Okum, the first prosecution witness.  

GNA 

Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe 

Reporter: Joyce Danso  
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